Old King Cole

Royal Couch Potato – Satiated King

Although this King Cole is not as rotund as he is in many illustrations, there are several empty bowls on the royal red carpet and elsewhere on the floor, as well as the full one in his lap, indicating that he may be engaging in a gluttonous orgy. He is sprawled back on his checkered throne with his feet propped up on an ottoman and a silly grin on his face. Notice the hole in his slipper and the scraggy hair and beard, indicating that he is not particularly concerned about grooming, and perhaps even about hygiene. The queen looks into the scene disapprovingly from behind the curtain to the right. Modern viewers will almost certainly associate this image with the stereotypical coach potato in front of the TV.