William L. Pressly, 'James Barry: Artist as Hero', London: The Tate Gallery, 1983, p 77-8, no 26
Description:
'Returning home at dawn after a night of debauchery, the youthful Polemon attempts mockingly to disrupt the discourse of the philosopher Zenocrates, only to be converted by his wise words. In a letter to Charles James Fox written in 1800, Barry explained his intentions. That Charles James Fox should be identified with Polemon is obvious from the dedication, but he went on to state that Zenocrates represents Edmund Burke. Barry claimed that the print was executed to persuade his radical friends, with whom he was a member of a club that met at St Paul's Coffeehouse, that they were mistaken in their assessment of Fox's character and abilities. The figure to the left of Zenocrates is probably Barry himself, silencing his companions in order that Burke might have time to persuade Fox to adopt more responsible behaviour.' (Pressly, 77-8)
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