"George IV, as Falstaff, sits in a high-backed chair with a grotesquely fat Doll Tearsheet (Lady Conyngham) on his knee. He holds a large glass of wine and looks at her with appraising melancholy. She pouts her lips to kiss. Their words are engraved below: Falstaff--hou dost give me flattering busses. Doll Nay, truly; I kiss thee with a constant heart. Fal-I am old, I am old. Doll-I love thee better than I love e'er a scurvy young boy of them all. --vide Shakspeare ['II Henry IV, II. iv.] Behind (right) stands Bardolph, with the head and nose of Curtis, talking to a lean Mrs. Quickly, who has the unmistakable profile of Lord Conyngham, behind whom a huge antlered stag's head looks down from the wall. Both women wear steeple-crowned hats, but the dress of one is flamboyant and ornate, of the other demure. A man looks in cautiously from the doorway. On the wall is a hanging on which is depicted the Prodigal Son turning his back on trough and swine to receive his father's embrace."--British Museum catalogue
Description:
Title from text above image., Print signed using William Heath's device: A man with an umbrella., Questionable publication date from British Museum catalogue., Text below image begins: Falstaff: Thou dost give me flattering busses. Doll: Nay, truly; I kiss thee with a constant heart ..., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Numbered in ms. at top of sheet: 173., and Watermark: J. Whatman Turkey Mill 1827.
Publisher:
Pub. by Thos. McLean 26 Haymarket
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Conyngham, Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness, -1861, Conyngham, Henry, Marquess, 1766-1832, and Curtis, William, Sir, 1752-1829
"George IV, with a swathed and gouty leg, stands in front of the throne, supported by Lady Conyngham and a crutch, his arm round her shoulder. Peel stands partly hidden by a curtain and immediately behind Wellington, his mouthpiece; he speaks into a speaking-trumpet, the stem of which passes from Wellington's ear to his mouth from which the trumpet projects. From this mouthpiece issue the words: I feel happy in being allowed thro any medium, however degrading to communicate my expressions of sincere devotion TO-- The King interrupts him: PLACE--hat will do Arthur, always keep between me and that fellow -- he rings such a peil in our Ears. Lady Conyngham turns to the King, pointing to the trumpet: This is a contrivance of my own -- I hate the sight of him & now your M-y can keep him at a distance. She wears a towering coiffure of loops of hair decorated with flowers. Beside Peel: To join with Christian Jew or Turk In doing any dirty Work."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from caption below image., Print signed using William Heath's device: A man with an umbrella., Questionable publication date from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Numbered in ms. at top of sheet: 174.
Publisher:
Pub. by T. McLean 26 Haymarket
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Conyngham, Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness, -1861, Peel, Robert, 1788-1850, and Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852