1720 camera?

[Timeshifter]

May have to move this @KorbenDallas

I discovered this image whilst looking at the work of the artist William Hogarth, WH the designer of the coat of arms of the foundlings hospital from this thread Diana & Foundlings

Lots of the usual bizarre stuff going on, but one thing that stood out to me is this guy, who to me looks like he is holding a camera and taking a photo... 1720...

Full image

Anyone else see it? Or can you explain it?

Note: This OP was recovered from the KeeperOfTheKnowledge archive.

Note: Archived Sh.org replies to this OP are included in this thread.

 

[feralimal]

Note: This post was recovered from the Sh.org archive.
Username: Feralimal
Date: 2019-08-25 14:24:01
Reaction Score: 5

Could be! In one way it looks like he's about to photo that man-cat chimera creature. In another way it looks like he's tied to that stake and is about to be whipped.

 

[Archive]

Note: This post was recovered from the Sh.org archive.
Username: jd755
Date: 2019-08-25 17:04:08
Reaction Score: 7

It's a whipping post. Chap on the left is brandishing a cat of nine tails and the bared back of what to me looks like the Jesus character is about to get the full force of it. Chap himself seems to me to be wearing a 'turban' or similar style headwear so could he be a musselman?
The reference on the statue pedestal relates to the South Sea bubble. Now there's a dodgy tale if ever there was one.
The other shorter 'thing' with an animals legs is stood in front of an empty but locked set of stocks. Wonder what the F. and the F stand for?

Hah! Same as it ever was.

See here ye Causes why in London,
So many Men are made, & undone,
That Arts, & honest Trading drop,
To Swarm about ye Devils shop, (A)
Who Cuts out (B) Fortunes Golden Haunches,


Trapping their Souls with Lotts and Chances,
Shareing em from Blue Garters down
To all Blue Aprons in the Town.
Here all Religions flock together,
Like Tame and Wild Fowl of a Feather,


Leaving their strife Religious bustle,
Kneel down to play at pitch and Hussle; (C)
Thus when the Sheepherds are at play,
Their flocks must surely go Astray;
The woeful Cause yt in these Times


(E) Honour, & (D) honesty, are Crimes,
That publickly are punish'd by
(G) Self Interest, and (F) Vilany;
So much for monys magick power
Guess at the Rest you find out more.