Care in a Comedy

This work is loosely based on a Henry Fuseli sketch of Milton’s ‘L’Allegro,’ (c.1780). The figurative players in this scene include Care, Jest, Laughter, and a youthful Nymph. Lowe has portrayed Care as the servant dwarf in Velazquez’s first portrait of Bathazar Carlos (c.1632). A favorite portrait of Lowe’s, he has chosen to the caring and now pejorative gaze is juxtaposed to the playfulness of the characters in Milton’s verse:

Haste thee nymph, and bring with thee
Jest and youthful Jollity,
Quips and Cranks, and wanton Wiles,
Nods, and Becks, and Wreathed Smiles,
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek,
And love to live in dimple sleek;
Sport that wrincled Care derides,
And Laughter holding both his sides.

-L’Allegro (25-32)