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THOMAS ROWLANDSON (1757-1827)
The Grand Battle betwen the famous English Cock and Russian Hen!
25 Apr 1791RCIN 810414
The fighting cocks have the faces of George III and Catherine the Great. Around them the monarchs of Europe place bets showing their allegiance. Britain was attempting to stop Russia expanding into Ottoman Turkey (shown at the centre of the spectators). The image is based on Hogarth’s print The Cockpit of 1759.
Probably purchased by George IV when Prince of Wales, 1790
Cat. 35
IMAGE CAPTION
William Hogarth (1697–1764)
The Cockpit, 1759
RCIN 811986
