A king-fisher [graphic].

Description

Title: A king-fisher [graphic].
Contributor: Fairburn, John, 1768 or 1769-1832, publisher.
Published / Created: May 1826.
Publication Place: London
Publisher: Fairburn, Broadway, Ludgate Hill
Abstract: "George IV sits on a small stone among tall bulrushes at the water's edge in profile to the left, fishing, his rod being a sceptre. Leaning forward, he looks anxiously at his tautening line. On his head is poised a small but massive crown, a creel hangs at his back; he wears quasi-military dress, white gauntlet gloves, and breeches with jack-boots (cf. British Museum Satires No. 14220). In the foreground, looking up at him, is a kingfisher. In the background, at the water's edge, is a small thatched peasant's cottage behind which is Windsor Castle, on its wooded hill, flying the Royal Standard (cottage and castle being mere symbols). Below the title is a circular garter inscribed Honi. Soit. Qui. Mal. Y. Pense."--British Museum online catalogue
Description: Title etched below image.
Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Fairburn published a similar print two months later (13 July 1826) entitled "A king-fisher, and a water-wag-tail," which depicts the king fishing alongside Lady Conynham; see Lewis Walpole Library call no.: 826.07.13.01. This later Fairburn print, in turn, was likely a copy of a print of the same scene published by S.W. Fores in June 1826; see no. 15137 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 10.
Removed from a blue paper mount leaving residue on verso.
Provenance: From the collection of David Beazley. Grosvenor Prints; September 2023.
Extent: 1 print : sheet 32.4 x 25 cm
Extent of Digitization: This object has been completely digitized.
Language: English