"Probably based on G. Cruikshank's 'Boney's Meditations . . .', British Museum Satires No. 12593 (1815), an adaptation of Gillray's 'Gloria Mundi', British Museum Satires No. 6012. The place of Napoleon is taken by George IV (right) who stands on the globe, staggering back from the rays of the sun which contains (in place of his own head) a bust portrait of the Queen (left). He repeats a parody of Milton's lines from 'Paradise Lost': "--To Thee, To Thee, I call!!! but with no friendly Voice & add thy Name oh Queen!! To tell thee how I hate those beams that bring to my Rememberance from what state I'm fallen." On the globe is a map with lines of latitude and longitude; the King's left foot is on a frontier between 'England' and 'Hanover' (towards which he staggers), as if to suggest that he will retire to Germany, cf. British Museum Satires No. 13974. A cherub flies above the Queen holding up a ribbon inscribed 'Innocent', and frowning down at the King. A woman resembling Mrs. Quentin in British Museum Satires No. 13897, emerging from behind the globe, tugs anxiously at the King's coat-tail."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Address to the Sun
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to William Heath in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Mounted on page 38 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Pub. Oct. 20, 1820, by S.W. Fores, 41 Picadilli [sic]
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, and Quentin, Georgina
"Probably based on G. Cruikshank's 'Boney's Meditations . . .', British Museum Satires No. 12593 (1815), an adaptation of Gillray's 'Gloria Mundi', British Museum Satires No. 6012. The place of Napoleon is taken by George IV (right) who stands on the globe, staggering back from the rays of the sun which contains (in place of his own head) a bust portrait of the Queen (left). He repeats a parody of Milton's lines from 'Paradise Lost': "--To Thee, To Thee, I call!!! but with no friendly Voice & add thy Name oh Queen!! To tell thee how I hate those beams that bring to my Rememberance from what state I'm fallen." On the globe is a map with lines of latitude and longitude; the King's left foot is on a frontier between 'England' and 'Hanover' (towards which he staggers), as if to suggest that he will retire to Germany, cf. British Museum Satires No. 13974. A cherub flies above the Queen holding up a ribbon inscribed 'Innocent', and frowning down at the King. A woman resembling Mrs. Quentin in British Museum Satires No. 13897, emerging from behind the globe, tugs anxiously at the King's coat-tail."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Address to the Sun
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to William Heath in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., 1 print : etching ; sheet 32.8 x 22.4 cm., Printed on laid paper with watermark; hand-colored., Window mounted to 34.2 x 23.8 cm, the whole then mounted to 58 x 39 cm., Mounted on leaf 104 in volume 1 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair.", and Figures of "Caroline," "George IV," and "Princess Charlotte" identified in pencil at bottom of sheet; date "20 Oct. 1820" written in ink in lower right corner. Typed extract of nine lines from the British Museum catalogue description is pasted beneath print.
Publisher:
Pub. Oct. 20, 1820, by S.W. Fores, 41 Picadilli [sic]
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, and Quentin, Georgina