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The Prince of Whales or the Fisherman at Anchor

Publisher Published by M. Jones British
May 1, 1812
Not on view
This light-hearted marine triumph casts George, Prince of Wales as a sea monster distracted by pleasure. In January 1812 the prince had officially become Regent and Cruikshank emphasizes his fleshly self-indulgence and weakness for mistresses and flatterers. When he became Regent, the prince surprised his former Whig friends by retaining the Tory Spencer Perceval as chief minister. Perceval, the fisherman of the title, stands in a small boat holding his prize fast on a golden chain while being showered by the "Dew of Favor." The disgruntled Whigs at left receive only "the Liquor of Oblivion." Clearly bored with politics, the Regent eyes a buxom mermaid, his most recent mistress Isabella, Marchioness of Hertford. He ignores both her scowling merman husband, and a second mermaid, his former mistress Maria Fitzherbert. The background colonnade represents Carlton House, the prince’s palatial home on Pall Mall.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Prince of Whales or the Fisherman at Anchor
  • Artist: George Cruikshank (British, London 1792–1878 London)
  • Publisher: Published by M. Jones (British, active 1811–16)
  • Date: May 1, 1812
  • Medium: Hand-colored etching
  • Dimensions: sheet: 8 3/4 x 20 15/16 in. (22.2 x 53.2 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.3.888-128
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Phrenological Illustrations, or An Artist's View of Craniological System of Doctors Gall and Spurzheim
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John Bull's Examination–John Bull brought up for his Discharge but Remanded on account of Extravagence and False Schedule
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