A satire on Queen Caroline's alleged affair with Bartolomeo Bergami. On the left is the figure of Queen Caroline, with a parasol in her right hand and holding the hand of a child with her left hand. The child says "Only look- how he kicks!!" Her response is "Yes, yes, child- Many will be upset before it's over.-" The donkey, wearing a rosette and elaborate saddle, bucks his rider, Bergami, who says "I'm not a great rider - I only ride a Donkey!!!" A servant dressed in oriental costume makes reference to himself and his master, saying "My master and I are both Greeks." The grotto behind the servant has a sign "Grotto. Villa d'Este"; above the grotto is a wind vane with an arrow pointing left on which is inscribed "Non mi Recordo." The white structure of Villa d'Este proper is seen on the left above the bushes, with Lake Como and the mountains beyond in the center background. In the foreground, amongst the flowers, is a potted orange tree on the left and a potted pineapple on the right
Alternative Title:
Guildford high mettled racer
Description:
Title etched below image., Date of publication inferred from other prints depicting Queen Caroline and Bergami at Villa d'Este on Lake Como. Cf. Nos. 14103 and 14171 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 10., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires., and Mounted on page 15 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
Como, Lake (Italy),
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, Bergami, Bartolomeo Bergami, Baron, and Villa d'Este, Spa,
Subject (Topic):
Adultery, Donkeys, Riding, Umbrellas, Whips, and Servants
"Bergami, very swarthy, dressed as a courier, rides (right to left) a galloping she-goat with the head of Queen Caroline. She smiles, holding the rein in her mouth. Both look to the picture plane, the Queen pleased, Bergami complacent. He flourishes a heavy postilion's whip with a long curling lash. Behind are trees, Lake Como, and Villa d'Este, inscribed 'Licenced Temple of Fancy'. Figures posture on the roof, as if dancing, as in British Museum Satires No. 14189. In the middle distance a man brandishing a whip is carried on the shoulders of a woman."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Theodore Lane in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Text below title: Set a courier on goat-back and he'll ride to the Devil., and Mounted on page 7 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Pubd. by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James's St.
Subject (Geographic):
Como, Lake (Italy),
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, Bergami, Bartolomeo Bergami, Baron, and Villa d'Este, Spa,
"The Queen, short and grotesque but not burlesqued, takes Bergami's left arm, looking up at him amorously; he looks down complacently at her. He is tall, handsome, florid, with much curling black hair, moustache and whiskers, and wears three orders (see British Museum Satires No. 13810); a miniature of the Queen hangs from his neck (see British Museum Satires No. 13858). His much-braided (blue) tunic and white trousers embroidered with red mould his stalwart figure. She holds a pagoda-shaped parasol, wears an absurd hat of Lancer type, a décolletée over-dress open from the high waist to show frilled drawers or trousers. From her neck dangles a large miniature of Bergami. The pair are watched by a man and woman, Italian witnesses (see British Museum Satires No. 13762, &c.), who register astonishment in the middle distance. In the background is the Villa d'Este, on the shore of Lake Como. Below the title: 'Sure such a pair were never formed to meet by Nature' [adapted from Sheridan's 'Duenna', cf. British Museum Satires No. 13131]. Cf. British Museum Satires No. 14183. The plate is a companion to British Museum Satires No. 14109, and is depicted in British Museum Satires No. 14206."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Long and the short of the tale, or, The whole of the concern and Whole of the concern
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Theodore Lane in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Companion print to: A wooden substitute, or, Any port in a storm., and Mounted on page 6 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Pubd. by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James's St.
Subject (Geographic):
Como, Lake (Italy),
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, Bergami, Bartolomeo Bergami, Baron, and Villa d'Este, Spa,
