“Joseph Bonaparate, the newly crowned King of Spain, stands at centre wearing doublet, slashed breeches, crown, medallion and cloak, and turned in beseeching attitude to left, where four Spaniards are standing; Joseph says, ‘For this kind and flattering reception much thanks. behold the Brother of the great Napolean come to reign over you for your goods.’ One of the Spanish men, with a long sword, says to another whose hand is on his dagger, ‘yes Comrade and for our Chattels too if I guess right.’; behind them, a woman holding a dagger says to another, ‘He was bred an Attorney and w’eel soon eject him from Spain’. Behind Joseph at right stand his French supporters, one holding a flag lettered ‘Vive le Roi’ over Joseph’s head, and angrily crying, ‘Will no one Huzza – – will no one ring the Bells – if you dont make a noise you shall all fall by the Royal Bayonet.’, a cry of ‘Vive le Roy Huzza’ arising from a pike-carrying crowd behind.”–British Museum online catalogue.
- Printmaker: Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, printmaker.
- Title: King Joes reception at Madrid [graphic] / Woodward del.; Rowlandson scu.
- Publication: [London] : Pubd. Augt. 21 by Thos. Tegg, N. 111 Cheapside, [21 August] 1808.
808.08.21.01+
Acquired September 2019
An invitation to accompany the Society of Painters at St Lukes Feast on Thursday 24 November, 1687 in Painter Stayner’s Hall; with a cartouche illustrated with an allegory of the arts with painting in the center, with winged Fame holding a laurel crown In the top corners are emblems of painting and architecture and on the bottom, drawing (disegno) and sculpture as a putto.
“The coronation of James II; interior of Westminster Abbey, the crowning of the king at bottom centre.”–British Museum online catalogue.
A decorative handbill or trade card, divided in three compartments, all framed in a neo-Gothic border. In the center framed by three Gothic arches the word “Mechanical” is etched below images of three machines including a steam powered tractor and printing press; etched below is an advertisement for the firm Hare & Co., located in the Strand, London.
Queen Caroline is seated in a carriage pulled by two white horses lead by a young page towards the right; she holds a walking-stick in her hand, sceptor-like over her shoulder and wears a fashionable hat and a small smile on her face as she looks out at the viewer. She is accompanied by two men in armor and wearing plummed helmets. The one on the far-side of the carriage holds a sign “The people and the Queens Guards”. Another sign in the background on the right reads “It is better to put your trust in the Lord than confidence in princes.” A crown is shown on the far right.
“Mrs. Clarke auctions commissions from a rostrum to a crowd of bidders, while the Duke of York acts as her clerk. All are unconscious of a net in which they are enclosed, and with which the Devil flies off into flames (right). Mrs. Clarke (right), in profile to the left, with raised hammer, holds out a paper headed Commission. She says: Going for no more than £500 a Commission Positively worth 5000. An officer, probably Dowler, see British Museum satires no. 11253, holds out his arms towards her, saying, my dear dear dear Angel Knock it down to me or I am ruin’d. Another says: Let the good Bishop [the Duke, see British Museum satires no. 11227] have the Game & we my Boy will have the Cream. The other applicants are in civilian dress; one says to the bidder: my dear fellow dont be so anxious for depend upon it these tricks will be Found out & all will be Lost. The Duke of York, in uniform, records the bids in a book, his pen resting on the figure 500. He says Thus am I content to record & ratify the Destruction of the Army, my Country & myself, rather than loose my dear DARLING to [cf. British Museum satires no. 11228]. The Devil looks over his shoulder at Mrs. Clarke to say with a baleful grin: Going, Going Gon you may now say, for I have You tight enough my dear Honey.”–British Museum online catalogue.
Queen Caroline walks down a plank balanced between a jolly boat and the shore; she is assisted by her son-in-law Prince Leopald, dressed in black. A cheering crowd stands on the beach, waving their hats in the air, behind an officer who tips his hat at the Queen. Sailors push the boat onto the shingle while a ship called “Prince Leopold” (in reference to her son-in-law) is anchored in the distance.