Honi. Soi. Qui. Mal. Y. Pense: The Caricature Shop of G. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street, London

Theodore Lane|George Humphrey

August 12, 1821 · Hand-colored etching · Drawings and Prints

A crowd of boisterous Londoners is shown inspecting satires critical of Queen Caroline, the estranged wife of the recently crowned King George IV. These are displayed in the bow-front shop window of George Humphrey, a print publisher who inherited a successful business from his aunt Hannah in 1818. Humphrey supported the king in the dramatic period between 1820 and 1821 when Caroline returned to England from the Continent hoping to be recognized as consort, but was sued for divorce, barred from the coronation, collapsed and died. From the mid eighteenth century, print publishers placed newly issued satires against the panes of their shop windows to draw customers. Humorous, topical images drew viewers from all social classes and encouraged lively interaction.

Artist

Theodore Lane|George Humphrey

Date

August 12, 1821

Medium

Hand-colored etching

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917