The Master Cook and his Black Scullion composing a Royal Hash
This image satirizes the work of the Milan Commission, formed in 1818 to go abroad and find evidence that could enable George, then Prince of Wales to obtain a divorce from his estranged wife, Princess Caroline of Brunswick. The results were presented to the Cabinet in July 1819. Three ministers are shown here supporting a huge cauldron as devils and cooks stir, and the mask-like face of George, above, says, "The Odour of this Cookery is exquisite! How Invigorating!! How Reviving!" When this print was published, George IV had succeeded to the throne after his father's death in January 1820, but not yet been crowned. He hoped first to obtain a divorce to keep Charlotte from claiming any rights as queen (in the end this was not granted, but Caroline was barred from the coronation and died shortly afterward).
Artwork Details
- Title: The Master Cook and his Black Scullion composing a Royal Hash
- Artist: Isaac Robert Cruikshank (British, London 1789–1856 London)
- Publisher: William Benbow (British, active 1816–1840s)
- Subject: George IV, King of Great Britain and Ireland (British, London 1762–1830 Windsor)
- Subject: Caroline of Brunswick (German, Brunswick 1768–1821 Hammersmith)
- Date: July 1820
- Medium: Hand-colored etching
- Dimensions: Plate: 10 × 13 7/8 in. (25.4 × 35.3 cm)
Sheet: 11 7/8 × 19 1/8 in. (30.2 × 48.5 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Adele S. Gollin, 1976
- Object Number: 1976.602.83
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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