Prince George as Prince Regent canoodling with the Duchess of Richmond as she tends his gouty foot. Coloured etching by C. Williams, 1819.

The Prince Regent was rumoured to be having an affair with the Duchess of Richmond, who had taken a house in Waterloo Place, Westminster, near the Prince's residence at Carlton House, after her husband had been appointed Governor of British North America in May 1818 (he died in 1819)

Paintings on the back wall with inscribed gilt frames allude to intimacy between the prince and the duchess. Top left, 'Exercise on Richmond Hill', embracing or dogging couples rolling together down a hill. Top middle, "A lean ox", referring to Lennox, the name of the Duke of Richmond. Top right, a picture of the Duchess of Richmond riding the prince, and whipping him with birch rods. Bottom left, a 'View of the Royal Cock Pitt', one game-cock standing on another in a cockpit. Bottom middle, "Waterloo Place", the Duchess's town house. Bottom right, 'Entering Richmond by water", a state barge about to enter the arches of Richmond Bridge. Outside, men and women are astride two velocipedes

London (287 Strand) : S. Sidebothem, 1819.

1 print : etching, with watercolour ; platemark 24.7 x 34.6 cm

A visit to Richmond - to - alleviate the gout. He says: "Try what you can do with my leg —I can do no good in town — it don't agree with me, therefore I am come to visit & take a bed with you — perhaps a change of place will revive me — I was always fond of Richmond if you'll under take it I'll endeavour to stop!!—". She says ""You must have patience, that is the only remedy — you have had it too long about you to attempt any thing — you'll get rid of it in time! and now I feel it I think it has decreased in size, and all inflamation has subsided—however if you wish to spend a little time with me you are welcome to exercise yourself up & down in the inclosure, in front of my premises — !!!"

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, vol. IX, London 1949, no. 13234

Wellcome Collection 2489348i