"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., and Removed from a blue paper mount leaving residue on verso.
Publisher:
Fairburn, Broadway, Ludgate Hill
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830 and Windsor Castle,
A caricature of George IV fishing on Virginia Water, using his scepter as a rod, watched by a kingfisher and a wagtail. On the end of his line is a frog, which is being netted by Lady Conyngham, his mistress
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark at top and bottom., Another version, probably a copy, of a print published June 1826 by S.W. Fores with the shorter title "A king-fisher"; see no. 15137 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 10., Fairburn published a similar print two months earlier (May 1826), entitled "A king-fisher" and depicting the king fishing alone; see no. 15126 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 10., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum., and Laid down on card.
Publisher:
Pubd. Jul. 13, 1826, by J. Fairburn, Broadway, Ludgate Hill
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Conyngham, Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness, -1861, and Windsor Castle,
