The True British Tar

The True British Tar

In this print, a sailor peers out grinning towards the spectator. He sits on a corded sea-chest and points at his prize-money which is heaped up on a larger chest in front of him. On the wall behind his head appears a ballad headed by an oval bust portrait of King George III with the words “God save the King” written. Beneath the design is engraved: “Now the Wars are all over, Faith I’ll live in clover; I’ve enough of this Pelf, For my friends and myself.” This print is included within the exhibition to show the costume of the Jack Tar and to emphasize its placement in Gillray’s ‘Design for Naval Pillar.’

Carington Bowles, after Robert Dighton

The British Museum

Carington Bowles

Published 22 September 1785 in London

The British Museum

© Trustees of the British Museum

Hand-colored mezzotint with some etching

Image: 35 x 24.9 cm

Still Image