The unexpected visit

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“The King, in Chinese costume and seated on a cushion, among the chinoiseries of the Pavilion (cf. British Museum Satires No. 12749), throws up his arms in terror at the entry (right) of the Queen, closely followed by Alderman Wood. Her demure dress contrasts with that of a woman, who, much alarmed, runs off to the left from beside the King. Sidmouth (left) and Castlereagh (right), both in Chinese dress, are equally terrified, and Lord Eldon peeps anxiously from behind a little pagoda. Both visitors extend an arm towards the King in an authoritative gesture. Words float from them towards the King: ‘Nothing extenuate nor set down aught in Malice [Othello, v. ii] men sleeping with her at Black Heath 1808 v. call Hoods [sic].'”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Heath, William, 1795-1840, printmaker.
  • Title: The unexpected visit, or, More free than welcome [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pub. June 17th, 1820, by S.W. Fores, 50 Picadilli [sic], [17 June 1820]

Catalog RecordĀ 

820.06.17.01+

Acquired October 2018