Farmer George, Studying the Wind & Weather, 1771 (engraving)

Satirical print depicting King George III (1760-1820) as 'Farmer George', published in the 'Oxford Magazine' in September 1771 The King earned the nickname 'Farmer George' because of his interests in agriculture and his preference for frugal living over the pomp of court and the duties of a monarch. This satirical print was one of several created to accompany a series of fictional letters to the magazine’s editor mocking the monarch. The letter accused 'a certain young farmer', of neglecting his duties as king 'whilst he is observing the fickleness of the wind or making a curious button, and a two penny snuff-box'. The image alludes to many areas of George’s reign that were widely criticised. The painting of the figure with a crown is not a portrait of the King but of Lord Bute, close advisor to the King (he was also rumoured to have had an affair with George’s mother). The painting suggests it is Bute who rules the country whilst George is distracted by his hobbies. The Scottish nobleman’s influence is also shown in the tartan dressing gown that George is wearing. A monkey watches George as he stares through the wrong end of a telescope oblivious to chaos taking place behind him. On the floor a cat plays with a discarded copy of 'The Art of Government by Mechanick Rules', whilst a dog has torn to shreds a document headed 'To remonstrances', George's response to a series of petitions and protests sent to the King. Similarly, behind him his own children are causing mayhem, led by the future George IV on the rocking horse