This is Philip Thicknesse, the subject of this print. Gillray has not caricatured his face, but his vicious character is obvious nonetheless. Thicknesse's portrayal is a parody of portraits by contemporary painters such as Joshua Reynolds, who showed serious, learned gentlemen in their studies, surrounded by books, pen in hand.

Here, Thicknesse's 'Muse' or inspiration, is Alecto, one of the three Furies of Greek mythology. She has serpents instead of hair, one of which has entwined itself around Thicknesse's arm, and tipped the nib of his quill pen with bile - in other words, Gillray is suggesting that all his writing is motivated by malice. Gillray also shows him sitting on a portable toilet, which is labelled 'Reservoir for Gall Stones'.