THOMAS ROWLANDSON (1757-1827)
Pope Joe receiving a treat of Spanish olives.
23 Aug 1808RCIN 810702
King José is dressed as the Pope of Fools (a character who was a parody of the pope and who sometimes appeared in the Feast of Fools). Two women force-feed him Spanish olives, urged on by a Spanish soldier and a British sailor. Britain had sent an army to Spain under the Duke of Wellington to try to support the Spanish attempt to evict José.
Cat. 70