A watercolour caricature of the politican William Adam, standing to left front, building a brick wall. Inscribed: 'W P Adam'.

This is one of a series of watercolour caricatures made by Sem, a French-born artist who worked for the magazine The Hornet from the 1870s, probably acquired by Alexandra, Princess of Wales. The caricatures appear to fall into two groups - a set of politicians, and a set where each figure depicted represents a specific accomplishment, activity or vocation. Other such watercolours by Sem are in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery, London, the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, and the Garrick Club, London. These caricatures do not appear to have been reproduced. 

Adam was Lord of the Treasury 1865-6, Chief Commissioner of Public Works and Paymaster General 1873-4, Liberal Whip 1874-80 and Governor of Madras in 1880.

This drawing is housed in an album compiled by Queen Alexandra. For other items in the volume see Queen Alexandra's Scrapbook.