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Reflection. To be, or not to be?

1820

Not on view

This satire comments on George IV's dilemma in the months following his accession in 1821. Long separated from his wife Princess Caroline of Brunswick, the king was distressed to learn that she intended to return to England from Italy to participate in the coronation. In response, the king pressed Parliament to grant him a divorce. Here, the king looks at himself in a mirror and is started to find Caroline looking back at him and wearing a crown.

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Title: Reflection. To be, or not to be?

Artist: Isaac Robert Cruikshank (British, London 1789–1856 London)

Publisher: S. W. Fores (London)

Subject: George IV, King of Great Britain and Ireland (British, London 1762–1830 Windsor)

Subject: Caroline of Brunswick (German, Brunswick 1768–1821 Hammersmith)

Date: 1820

Medium: Hand-colored etching

Dimensions: Plate: 13 5/8 × 9 9/16 in. (34.6 × 24.3 cm)
Sheet: 15 1/16 × 10 1/2 in. (38.2 × 26.7 cm)

Classification: Prints

Credit Line: Gift of Adele S. Gollin, 1976

Accession Number: 1976.602.100

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