"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,