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Honi. Soi. Qui. Mal. Y. Pense: The Caricature Shop of G. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street, London

Publisher Published London by George Humphrey British
August 12, 1821
Not on view
A crowd of boisterous Londoners is shown inspecting satires critical of Queen Caroline, the estranged wife of the recently crowned King George IV. These are displayed in the bow-front shop window of George Humphrey, a print publisher who inherited a successful business from his aunt Hannah in 1818. Humphrey supported the king in the dramatic period between 1820 and 1821 when Caroline returned to England from the Continent hoping to be recognized as consort, but was sued for divorce, barred from the coronation, collapsed and died. From the mid eighteenth century, print publishers placed newly issued satires against the panes of their shop windows to draw customers. Humorous, topical images drew viewers from all social classes and encouraged lively interaction.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Honi. Soi. Qui. Mal. Y. Pense: The Caricature Shop of G. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street, London
  • Artist: Theodore Lane (British, Isleworth ca. 1800–1828 London)
  • Publisher: Published London by George Humphrey (British, 1773?–1831?)
  • Date: August 12, 1821
  • Medium: Hand-colored etching
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 11 15/16 × 16 15/16 in. (30.4 × 43 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Adele S. Gollin, 1976
  • Object Number: 1976.602.82
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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Theatrical Pleasures, Plate 5: Feasting in the Saloon, Theodore Lane British, Hand-colored etching
Theatrical Pleasures, Plate 5: Feasting in the Saloon
Theodore Lane
Thomas McLean
ca. 1835
Theatrical Pleasures, Plate 1: Crowding to the Pit, Theodore Lane British, Hand-colored etching
Theatrical Pleasures, Plate 1: Crowding to the Pit
Theodore Lane
Thomas McLean
ca. 1835
Theatrical Pleasures, Plate 4: Taken Places Occupied, Theodore Lane British, Hand-colored etching
Theatrical Pleasures, Plate 4: Taken Places Occupied
Theodore Lane
Thomas McLean
ca. 1835
Theatrical Pleasures, Plate 5: Feasting in the Saloon, Theodore Lane British, Hand-colored etching
Theatrical Pleasures, Plate 5: Feasting in the Saloon
Theodore Lane
Thomas McLean
ca. 1835
Theatrical Pleasures, ( Snug in the Gallery, Plate 3), Theodore Lane British, Hand-colored etching
Theatrical Pleasures, ( Snug in the Gallery, Plate 3)
Theodore Lane
Thomas McLean
ca. 1835

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