ABSTRACT
On 9 March 1742, an important art auction was held in Mr Cock's saleroom in Covent Garden, Edward Harley, Earl of Oxford, had died virtually bankrupt and his widow wished to get rid of his huge collection of bronzes, coins and books. A more comprehensive picture than any of these was provided by Joshua Reynolds who, when he described how Pope walked into Christopher Cock's saleroom, remembered Pope's physical appearance as clearly as if he had made a sketch of him. Reynolds described Pope's face, and here he was impressed by a 'pallidly studious look; not merely a sharp, keen countenance but something grand; like Cicero's'. Reynolds also recalled that Pope wore a black coat and 'according to the fashion of the time had on a little sword' – not for use but as a sign of gentility. To counteract the picture drawn of him by his enemies, Pope presented the public with images of his own choosing.
