Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827)
European Powers. An Imperial Stride. 12 - 12 Apr 1791
Hand-coloured etching | 31.1 x 43.0 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 810413
-
A hand-coloured print of Empress Catherine II stretched out with one foot on her home land and the other on the tip of the Crescent of Turkey with the buildings of Constantinople. Underneath the Empress's dress are seven monarchs and religious leaders. From left to right they are: Stanislaus II, Pope Pius VI with triple Crown, Charles IV of Spain, Louis XVI, King George III, Emperor Leopold II and Sultan Selim III of Turkey. All of the figureheads comment with a mixture of admiration and scorn on Catherine's achievements. Inscribed in the plate: London Pubd April 12th 1791 by Wm Holland No 50 Oxford Street / In Holland's Exhibition rooms may be seen the largest collection of caricatures in Europe Admitce One Shilling
Provenance
Purchased by George IV when Prince of Wales from William Holland for 2s 6d (TNA HO73/20/1, fol.31)
-
Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
Subject(s)
-
Medium and techniques
Hand-coloured etching
Measurements
31.1 x 43.0 cm (sheet of paper)
31.1 x 38.5 cm (platemark)