"The Prince of Wales reclines on a sofa, half-sitting, half-lying, and leaning against Mrs. Fitzherbert. He is intent on a circular box or 'bandelure' at the end of a string which he holds round the second finger of his raised right hand, playing with the toy revived in the twentieth century as Yo-yo. Sheridan leans over the back of the sofa, embracing Mrs. Fitzherbert and thrusting his hand inside her decolletage. She puts her left hand on Sheridan's cheek, her right arm is round the Prince. The expressions of all three excellently indicate their preoccupations. On the left a fire blazes in the grate; above it is a decorative panel of a horse-race. On the shelf above is a bust of 'Claudius Rom: Imp:', a dice-box and dice, and the figure of an infant Bacchus, astride a cask and holding up a glass. On the wall behind Sheridan's head is a picture of 'Joseph & Potiphers Wife'. Behind him and on the extreme right is an open door showing a staircase. The Prince is stouter than in earlier prints; he wears his star, but his wrinkled stockings and slippers, like his pose, suggest indolence and domesticity. Mrs. Fitzherbert wears a tiara inscribed 'Ich dien', with three ostrich feathers."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Four lines of quoted verse on each side of title: "Thus sits the dupe, content! "Pleases himself with toys, thinks Heav'n secure ..., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
S. W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Fitzherbert, Maria Anne,--1756-1837--Caricatures and cartoons., Fores, S. W., publisher., George--IV,--King of Great Britain,--1762-1830--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons.
"Mrs. Fitzherbert stands beside a dressing-table, her head turned in profile to the left, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She wears petticoat and stays, with a tiara inscribed 'Ich [dien]' and head-dress of three ostrich feathers and drapery. She is very buxom, with conspicuously large breasts, but is about to place a pad or frame across her bust which will increase her 'enbonpoint'. Above the dressing-table hangs an oval bust-portrait of the Prince of Wales surmounted by a crown and 'ich. dien'."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Fitzherbert, Maria Anne,--1756-1837--Caricatures and cartoons., George--IV,--King of Great Britain,--1762-1830--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.