Vox Populi, a great personage incog
Print
21/11/1829
21/11/1829
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Published towards the end of King George IV's reign (1820-30), this print shows the king in disguise as a humble coachman, trying discreetly to find out what his subjects think of him. The king, sitting on the left of a tavern table, says to the figure of John Bull, 'I believe Mr Bull you are no great admirer of His M[ajest]y?' Bull, an allegorical figure who represented the British 'everyman', replies 'You are quite mistaken Sir, I only wish I liked any one about or belonging to him half so well.' This is a reference to the king's habit of surrounding himself with court favourites and mistresses, who were perceived by the public as influencing him in favour of their own interests, and which contributed greatly to his unpopularity.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Vox Populi, a great personage incog (published title) |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Satirical print, anonymous, 'Vox Populi, a great personage incog', London, 1829 |
| Physical description | Two men sit at a table, replete with jug and glasses of ale. The figure on the left, in the garb of a humble coachman or driver including scarf and top-boots, is a portrait of George IV. That on the right, smoking a pipe, is an allegorical John Bull figure in plain country clothing and buttoned gaiters. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Published towards the end of King George IV's reign (1820-30), this print shows the king in disguise as a humble coachman, trying discreetly to find out what his subjects think of him. The king, sitting on the left of a tavern table, says to the figure of John Bull, 'I believe Mr Bull you are no great admirer of His M[ajest]y?' Bull, an allegorical figure who represented the British 'everyman', replies 'You are quite mistaken Sir, I only wish I liked any one about or belonging to him half so well.' This is a reference to the king's habit of surrounding himself with court favourites and mistresses, who were perceived by the public as influencing him in favour of their own interests, and which contributed greatly to his unpopularity. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1233:193-1882 |
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| Record created | June 8, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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