This is one of a small selection of original Georgian / Regency etched satirical prints that I have in my Iconic Edinburgh online shop. This one came from a small collection of prints relating to Greek and Ottoman History which belong to the historian William St Clair (1937 - 2021).
This is a fine work by Isaac Robert George Cruikshank ( 1789-1856) with original impressions dating to around the 1820s. It was published by Thomas Tegg. The image with its busy composition, numerous characters and all the incidental detail is typical of his work. This one is fully titled below the image: Beauties of Grease [altered to] Greece -or- luxuries of the Kremlin. Vide Brighton Vagaries. A Kitchen Frolic.
It is an original antique etching - which is hand-tinted with watercolour.
It is in good antique condition. There are no tears on the sheet or spotting. The print has never been laid down onto a backing card - there is a little light time tone to the paper - evident more in the margins - but this is not disfiguring - and acceptable given this work is now over 200 years old. It is a rare survivor. I can only find other impressions in the collection of satirical prints at the British Museum and at the Art Institute of Chicago. This is reflected in my asking price. It actually costs more to get a license for a copy of the image from the Getty Images Archive!
HISTORY: The print is typical of images showing George IV as both a glutton and womaniser. The Regent is shown in a very tipsy state. He has one leg on the supper table and leans back in his chair. He puts a hand under the chin of each of two very fat maidservants who stand one on each side.
One (left) stands with her back to the fire where a large steak is grilling; she holds a pair of steak tongs and a glass of wine. He says to her: "Dolly I admire your Chops and now for your Rump I shall find out the beauties of the Kremline in time! Dolly I have a great mind to make you a Dutchess you'll make a nice fat Dutchess, and Cis here shall be a Countess. Should you like to be a Dutchess Dolly?" She answers: "Any thing your Hiness chuses to make me! "
General Bloomfield (Private Secretary to George who was supposed to be responsible for trying to keep secret the excesses of the Regent) has risen from his chair (right) to hand a glass of wine to the other, saying, "Come Cis take a glass of Claret my girl Countesses [sic] a countess should drink nothing but Claret."
Men cooks and soldiers crowd in a doorway (right) to watch. One (? Carême) says: "Got tam! vat he go do Dolly? My Dolly!" Another says to him: "Ah ha! I think you are done with Monr Fricasee."
The Kremlin reference here seems to refer to the Brighton Pavilion with all its onion domes - earning it the title of "The Little Kremlin".
The image measures: 23 x 33 cm and the frame measures: 38 x 48 cm. It is sold with a new fresh window mount and a simple black wood frame as photographed. It is all ready to hang on your wall.
Please see my other Cruikshank prints in my Iconic Edinburgh On line store.
UK Posting Only. This will cost £10 to send to you with Royal Mail Special Next Day Delivery. This will be applied to your order at the checkout.