A King Fisher on the Banks of the Thames 1827

Monogrammist JVS created this print, "A King Fisher on the Banks of the Thames," in 1827. Immediately, the image evokes questions of power, satire, and identity. The cartoon depicts a figure wearing a crown, fishing in the Thames. The work seems to be offering a pointed commentary on class and authority. The King, rendered in caricature, appears to be more interested in sport than in the well-being of his kingdom. Are the fish he's catching symbolic of something else? The artist uses satire to critique the perceived excesses and detachment of the ruling class. The Thames serves not only as the backdrop but also as a symbol of the nation's lifeblood, seemingly exploited by the monarchy. There’s a tension here - between the personal enjoyment of those in power and the broader responsibilities they hold. It invites us to consider what it means to lead and who benefits from that leadership.