"An elaborate design. The Prince of Würtemberg, grotesquely corpulent, conducts his bride in the procession (right to left) towards the bridal chamber which is led by the King and Queen. George III, plainly dressed and wearing a hat, partly concealed by a pillar, hurries forward; in each hand is a candle-stick holding a guttering candle-end (cf. BMSat 8117). The Queen, covered with jewels and her face hidden by a poke-bonnet, carries a steaming bowl of 'Posset'. On the back of the Prince's coat are slung five ribbons from which dangle the jewels of orders; three garters encircle his leg; a star decorates the bag of his wig. The Princess gazes at him from behind her fan. Round her waist is the ribbon of an order, to which is attached a jewel containing a whole length miniature of her husband, which exaggerates his corpulence. Behind the Princess is a group of princes: the Prince of Wales, in regimentals, is fat and sulky. Prince William of Gloucester stands with splayed-out feet as in BMSat 8716. The Duke of Clarence (caricatured) puts a hand on the right arm of the Prince of Wales. Behind is the more handsome head of the Duke of York. These four heads are clever juxtapositions of variations on the family features. Behind them is the grotesque profile of the Stadholder with closed eyes. The sharp features of Lady Derby tower above the Stadholder. Next him is the Princess of Wales, not caricatured. Two princesses hold up their sister's train, and, behind, a sea of feathered headdresses recedes in perspective under a lighted chandelier. Salisbury (left), the Lord Chamberlain, standing stiffly in profile to the right, much caricatured, with wand and key as in BMSat 8649, holds open the door through which the King is about to pass. Pitt, on the outskirts of the procession, carries a sack inscribed '£80,000' (the amount of the Princess's dowry). On the wall is a large picture, inscribed 'Le Triomphe de l'Amour', of an elephant with a little cupid sitting on his neck blowing a trumpet."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Marriages: Prince of Würtemberg to Princess Charlotte Augusta, May 17, 1797 -- Beverages: posset -- Furnishings: carpets -- Pictures amplifying subject: a cupid riding an elephant -- Male dress: court dress., and Mounted to 31 x 46 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 18th, 1797, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James Street
Subject (Name):
Frederick I, King of Württemberg, 1754-1816, Charlotte, Queen, Consort of Frederick I, King of Württemberg, 1766-1828, George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, William IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837, Frederick Augustus, Prince, Duke of York and Albany, 1763-1827, William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, 1776-1834, William V, Prince of Orange, 1748-1806, Salisbury, James Cecil, Marquess of, 1748-1823, Derby, Elizabeth Farren Stanley, Countess of, 1759 or 62-1829, Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, and Pitt, William, 1759-1806
