'Vices overlook'd in the new proclamation'

Artistsback to top

• James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist associated with 881 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
• Hannah Humphrey (active 1778-1822), Publisher and printseller. Artist associated with 717 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

Sittersback to top

• Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818), Queen of George III. Sitter associated with 82 portraits.
• Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827), Son of George III; Commander-in-Chief of the Army. Sitter associated with 70 portraits.
• King George III (1738-1820), Reigned 1760-1820. Sitter associated with 182 portraits.
• King George IV (1762-1830), Regent 1811-19; Reigned 1820-30. Sitter associated with 182 portraits.
• Dorothea Jordan (Phillips, née Bland) (1761-1816), Actress. Sitter associated with 23 portraits.
• King William IV (1765-1837), Reigned 1830-7. Sitter associated with 134 portraits.

This portraitback to top

With enough vices and unfolding scandals to occupy satirists for years, George III's profligate sons provided a rich source of material for artists such as Gillray. Through Gillray's pencil the Prince of Wales developed into an increasingly obese, spoilt and ridiculous figure, surrounded by food, liquor and his string of mistresses. In this instance the heir to the throne is mocked by a fat bawd as he is led, drunk and incapable, into the street. The miserly existence of the King and Queen is contrasted with the wanton gambling habits of the Duke of York. Lastly, the Duke of Clarence - later William IV - is pictured with his actress-mistress Dorothy Jordan, mother of his ten children. As was often Gillray's trick, his visual satire depended on verbal puns: a 'Jordan' was slang for chamber pot.

Portrait setback to top

• James Gillray etchings, 1777-1811 (1790-4)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Gillray in Focus
• Royal Family
• Royal mistresses