John Bull making observations on the Comet (caricature) RMG PW3998, Thomas Rowlandson, 1807

John bull making observations on the comet (caricature) john bull, the spirit of britain and its people, looks through his telescope to see a comet with napoleon’s head rising towards the sun containing the head of king george iii. The land it has come from has a small frog on it. Spying the french leader, john bull mocks him, saying, ‘aye - aye - master comet - you may attempt your periheliums - or your devil heliums for what i care but take the word of an old man you'll never reach the sun depend upon it’. Published on 10 november 1807, the print was produced while a comet was visible from england at the end of that year. John bull making observations on the comet (caricature). Date: 1807. Dimensions: Sheet: 261 x 398 mm; Mount: 404 mm x 558 mm. Collection: Fine art.