"The Prince of Wales lies in bed asleep, clasping a pillow with a rapt expression, his closed eyes directed towards a vision of the Princess Caroline who leans towards him floating on clouds, a radiant beauty with outstretched arms. A winged figure with the torch of Hymen (right) holds up her draperies, while a cupid with bow and arrows flying above the Princess's head holds up the heavy curtains of the four-post bed. On the left, also emerging from clouds, the King and Queen, caricatured, crouch over the Prince's bed. The former, a grotesque figure, holds out a large money-bag inscribed '£150000 Pr Annm'. The Queen holds out a book: 'The Art of getting Pretty Children'. Both have expressions of avid delight. On the left and among clouds persons flee in alarm at the approach of the bride: Fox scattering dice from a dice-box, Sheridan as a bearded Jew wearing a broad-brimmed hat. Above them are three women: the most prominent, Mrs. Fitzherbert, with clasped hands; next (?) Lady Jersey, and between and behind them a young woman wearing a cap (cf. BMSat 8611). Above their heads two tiny jockeys gallop off, indicating that the Prince will give up the turf (cf. BMSat 7918, &c). From the foot of the bed (left), which extends diagonally across the design from right to left, rolls a cask of 'Port' on which an infant Bacchus with the head and clumsy figure of Lord Derby is seated astride; he is about to fall, dropping his glass. On the head of the bed is the Prince's coronet with feathers. Beside it (right) is a chamber-pot in which is a bottle of 'Velno' (see BMSat 7592)."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Text below title: "A thousand virtues seem to lackey her, driving far off each thing of sin & guilt." Milton., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Mythology: Hymen's torch -- Bacchus -- Medicine: velno -- Coronets: George IV's coronet -- Emblems: Prince of Wales's feathers -- Cupids -- Bags of money -- Jews -- Furnishings: bed curtains -- Barrels -- Alcohol: port -- Gambling: dice-box.
Publisher:
Pubd. Jany. 24th, 1795, by H. Humphrey, No. 37 New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Charlotte, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837, Jersey, Frances Villiers, Countess of, 1753-1821, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751-1816
