This is a demon playing a viol de gamba (an instrument similar to the viola but held between the player's legs). He is sitting on a painted canvas, which is inscribed 'Portrait of an ungrateful Madman left unfinish'd by Gainsborough'. This is a reference to a portrait of Thicknesse commissioned from Thomas Gainsborough, which the painter left unfinished after Thicknesse quarrelled with him. The music from which the little demon is playing is ironically labelled 'Friendship'.

Detail from: James Gillray, Lieutenant Govenor Gall-Stone, inspired by Alecto; -or- The Birth of Minerva. The British Museum

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