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Primary sourcePainting1742

The Promotion

1742

A 1742 political satire print showing George II handing out honours to former opposition politicians after Walpole's fall from power.

George II appears in this satire distributing honours, showing contemporary views of his political role.

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Engraving titled 'The Promotion' with a 1742 date. A figure in a window on the right, possibly King George II, offers ribbons or honours to a line of men in period dress who stand in a street before a castle-like building. Ribbons with labels lie at their feet. On the far right, a man with a sword stands with his hand on his hip, and a banner reads about Walpole. A man at upper left speaks from a balcony with a speech scroll.
The Promotion, satirical engraving, 1742.

About this source

What it is

This is an engraving from 1742 titled The Promotion. It satirises the politicians who gained power after the fall of Prime Minister Robert Walpole.

King George II is shown leaning out of a window of St James's Palace, handing out ribbons representing honours and titles to a line of former opposition politicians, including Carteret, Pulteney, and others, each with their new post shown at their feet. Walpole stands in the foreground commenting on the scene.

Why it matters

This print shows how ordinary people and satirists viewed the politics of George II's reign, especially the scramble for office and reward among politicians. It reveals how the king's role in distributing honours was seen as part of political bargaining, not just royal ceremony.

Look closer

  • What does the king's position at the window suggest about his role in this political change?
  • Why might the artist have shown Walpole speaking directly to the viewer?
  • What does this satire suggest about public attitudes toward politicians seeking honours?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of George II on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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