The Greenwich Pensioner (caricature)

This robust, popular image illustrates the text of Charles Dibdin's well known song, 'The Greenwich Pensioner' which is printed below it (not shown on photo). The Pensioner, with a left wooden peg-leg, a stout stick under his left arm and a clay pipe in his left hand stands on the north side of the Thames, gesturing towards Greenwich Hospital, the Queen's House and the Royal Observatory in the background with his right hand. The stern of a small Royal Naval warship flying the red ensign is on the left, with a sprit-rigged river craft, and the Union flag flies above the Governor's House in the King Charles Court on the right. The Pensioner's position is falsely elevated, producing an aerial perspective of the Grand Square behind, with Rysbrack's statue of George II in the centre. The background design may derive from Rigaud's much earlier print of the Hospital, or similar ones which adopt this perspective.

Object Details

ID: PAH3329
Collection: Fine art
Type: Print
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Carpenter, N.; Dibdin, Charles
Places: Greenwich
Date made: Late 18th century
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Secondary support: 416 mm x 368 mm; Primary support: 369 mm x 290 mm; Mount: 635 mm x 483 mm
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