A smoking club, James Gillray - Engraving, Public domain image
Pitt and Dundas, Fox and Sheridan face each other across a long narrow table, smoking long pipes and puffing clouds of smoke in each other's faces. The gallery of the House of Commons is indicated in the backgr... More
The times, anno 1783, James Gillray
Figures personifying England, France, Spain, and Holland represent the international situation. England (right), a John Bull, stout and plainly dressed, holds up his hands, with a melancholy expression. By his ... More
Horrors of the Irish-union. Botheration of poor Pat - or - a whisper a...
Britannia, buxom and beneficent, sits on one side of the "Irish Channel." On a smaller piece of ground stands Pat, his hands deep in his coat pockets, looking sideways towards Britannia. She sits with her shiel... More
Evidence to character - being, a portrait of a traitor by his friends ...
Depicted is the trial of O'Connor, who confesses to making an Irish-French alliance, before the presiding judge Buller. Testifying to the character of O'Connor are various members of the opposition. Starting at... More
Dumourier dining in State at St. James's on the 15 May, 1793
Dumouriez (right) sits in a gothic chair (reminiscent of the Coronation chair), at the royal dinner-table. Three cooks advance towards him, wearing bonnets-rouges with tricolour cockades, aprons, and over-sleev... More
Tom Paine's nightly pest, James Gillray
Paine lies asleep on straw on a ramshackle wooden bedstead, covered by his coat. He wears a cap and lies diagonally from left to right, facing the spectator. On the head of his bed are drawn the profile heads, ... More
United Irishmen in training, James Gillray
Outside a country ale-house, ruffians are practicing their weapons at close range on the effigy of a British soldier that is spiked on a spear (left). It wears helmet, coat stuffed with straw, and top-boots. On... More
Page with small sketches, including cherubs, ice skaters, and other fi...
Public domain scan of 18th-century drawing, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Politeness, James Gillray - Drawing. Public domain image.
A joint of beef hangs on the wall behind John Bull. A bundle of frogs behind the Frenchman. The Frenchman holds an open snuff-box instead of a bowl of soup, a laced hat is under his arm. He wears a bag-wig. Joh... More
Scene le vrog house, James Gillray
Rodney (right) stands holding an ensign flag, looking towards three French Admirals in a state of humiliation. Their names are indicated by numbers referring to notes below the design. (1) Rodney ("Admiral Ro .... More
Balaam, or the majesty of the people, James Gillray
Design in an oval. A satire on tithes and the clergy. A tall, thin military officer, wearing a hat, gorget, and sword, carries on his shoulders an enormously fat parson dressed in gown and bands. The officer wa... More
Dun-Shaw, James Gillray - Drawing. Public domain image.
Dundas as a colossus (a shah or bashaw of the Indies) straddles across the ocean, one foot on the roof of the India House (left), the other on a piece of land on the extreme right representing Bengal. In the se... More
The National Assembly revivified, James Gillray
Designed in two compartments [with The National Assembly Petrified], one above the other, the figures in both being three quarter length. Here, a group of ruffians listen with delight to a cook (left) who takes... More
The National Assembly petrified, James Gillray
Designed in two compartments [with The National Assembly Revivified], one above the other, the figures in both being three quarter length. Here, a ragged French barber, in profile to the right, gesticulating an... More
The introduction, James Gillray
The Duke of York leads his bride to the King and Queen, who are seated side by side on the throne (right), much caricatured, making gestures of eager greed. The King looks through a glass, the Queen holds out h... More
The National Assembly revivified, James Gillray
Designed in two compartments [with The National Assembly Petrified], one above the other, the figures in both being three quarter length. Here, a group of ruffians listen with delight to a cook (left) who takes... More
Modern hospitality, or a friendly party in high life, James Gillray
A scene at a faro-table. Part of the table, including an angle of the central well, stretches across the foreground and players and spectators sit and stand behind it. Lady Archer is the most prominent; she hol... More
Scotch Harry's news or nincumpoop in high glee, James Gillray
The heads and shoulders of the King and Queen (left) and of Dundas (right) face each other. Dundas holds a letter with a broken seal postmarked Bristol. He leans forward with a satisfied and cunning smile. He w... More
Anti-saccharrites - or - John Bull and his family leaving off the use ...
The royal pair setting an example of economy, which appears by no means agreeable to all the family (Wright/Evans). The King, Queen, and six Princesses, three quarter length, are seated round a frugal tea-table... More
A democrat - or - reason & philosophy, James Gillray
Fox, a ragged sansculotte with bloodstained hands and a dagger dripping blood thrust in his belt, sings "Ca ira!" He capers, right hand on his hip, left hand held up; expression and attitude suggest quasi-intox... More
Dumourier dining in State at St. James's on the 15 May, 1793
Dumouriez (right) sits in a gothic chair (reminiscent of the Coronation chair), at the royal dinner-table. Three cooks advance towards him, wearing bonnets-rouges with tricolour cockades, aprons, and over-sleev... More
Presentation of the Mahometan Credentials, or the final resource of Fr...
The King and Queen, seated on the throne (left), receive with astonished horror a deputation from Turkey. An arrogant Turk stands proffering a large rolled document with pendent seals on which are crescents. Be... More
The British butcher supplying John Bull with a substitute for bread
Pitt (right), as a butcher, stands arrogantly behind his block, holding up a leg of mutton to a hungry, lean, and dismayed John Bull, who stands with bent knees (left), his right hand groping in his breeches po... More
Patriotic regeneration, viz. parliament reform'd, a la francoise, that...
The interior of the House of Commons. The Speaker's chair and the table are in the foreground on the extreme left. Only the Opposition benches are visible and are crowded with English sansculottes wearing bonne... More
Opening of the budget - or - John Bull giving his breeches to save his...
Pitt (right) stands stiffly in profile to the left, holding open a large sack-like wallet. He addresses John Bull, the central figure, a stout yokel, who holds out his breeches in his left hand to Pitt, while h... More
Sandwich-carrots! Dainty sandwich-carrots, James Gillray
A buxom girl pushes (left to right) her barrow of carrots along the pavement of Bond Street, looking over her right shoulder at Lord Sandwich ('Jemmy Twitcher'), who overtakes her and twitches her apron. He is ... More
The giant-factotum amusing himself, James Gillray
Pitt arrogantly bestrides the Speaker's chair, towering high above the galleries of the House. He plays cup (or rather spike) and ball with the globe, on which 'France' is disproportionately large, the British ... More
The tables turnd. Billy in the Devils claws. Billy sendindng the Devil...
A design in two compartments. [left] Billy, in the Devil's claws: Fox as the Devil (left) grasps the thin and terrified Pitt round the waist, pointing with his left arm to a serried rank of French soldiers, lan... More
Toasting muffins, vide royal breakfast, James Gillray
The King, much caricatured, in dressing-gown and nightcap, sits over a fire in profile to the left, toasting muffins, the muffin-dish on a tripod beside him. His stockings are ungartered, the 'Honi soit' ribbon... More
The esplanade, James Gillray - Drawing. Public domain image.
George III walks in back view with an awkward shuffle, his head turned in profile to the left to greet a tall general who bows. On the right, another officer waits, hat in hand, for recognition. They are Lord C... More
Bank-notes - paper-money - French-alarmists, o the devil, the devil! a...
Pitt (left) as a bank-clerk, very thin and much caricatured, a pen thrust through his wig, stands behind an L-shaped counter offering a handful of bank-notes to John Bull. In his right hand is a scoop with whic... More
The Daily Advertiser, James Gillray
Fox (right), a news-boy, ragged and unshaven, stands in profile to the left, his right hand on the knocker of the gate of the 'Treasury.' He wears a bonnet-rouge on the front of which is a tricolour placard (li... More
Push-pin, James Gillray - Drawing. Public domain image.
Three people sit at a round table playing push-pin. The Duke of Queensberry (right) leans on the table, pushing the pin. In his right hand is a double lorgnette over which he leers at his vis-à-vis, a very corp... More
The Daily Advertiser, James Gillray
Fox (right), a news-boy, ragged and unshaven, stands in profile to the left, his right hand on the knocker of the gate of the 'Treasury.' He wears a bonnet-rouge on the front of which is a tricolour placard (li... More
Nelson's victory, or good-news operating upon loyal feelings, James Gi...
Another satire on the supposed mortification of the Whigs at the destruction of the French fleet. The leaders of the party are expressing their feelings in a variety of different ways. They had predicted a very... More
Two pair of portraits - presented to all the unbiassed electors of Gre...
Horne Tooke, not caricatured, sits at an easel on which are juxtaposed two canvases, three-quarter length portraits of Fox (Left) and Pitt (right). He holds palette and brushes, but looks over his right shoulde... More
Evidence to character - being, a portrait of a traitor by his friends ...
Depicted is the trial of O'Connor, who confesses to making an Irish-French alliance, before the presiding judge Buller. Testifying to the character of O'Connor are various members of the opposition. Starting at... More
Doublures of character - or - strikeing resemblances in phisiognomy, J...
Bust portraits of seven leaders of the Opposition, each with his almost identical double, arranged in two rows, with numbers referring to notes below the title. The first pair are Fox, directed slightly to the ... More
Meeting of the monied Interest. Constitutional opposition to ye 10 pr ...
Fox stands, declaiming violently to his supporters, who surround him. He holds out a paper. His clenched right fist is raised. He is dishevelled and ragged, with a padlocked 'Begging Box' slung round his should... More
United Irishmen upon duty, James Gillray
A night scene with a waning moon. United Irishmen burn and plunder. On the left is the corner of a farm house with flames pouring from a casement window. A ruffian wearing a military coat, tricolour cockade and... More
Consequences of a successful French invasion. No. III, plate 2d. Me te...
The hoe-driver stands on the left of the line of hoers (right), who advance diagonally. The husbandman is a fat John Bull, his wife a comely woman. Beyond the 'old man' is a fifth man. On the extreme right, Gil... More
Portrait of an Irish chief, drawn from life at Wexford
The Irishman, with coarse features and cropped hair, stands on a rounded hill, left arm raised oratorically, right hand on one of two pistols in his belt. He wears a round hat with a small tuft or plume tilted ... More
Fighting for the dunghill - or - Jack Tar settling Buonaparte, James G...
A British sailor, firmly planted astride the globe, is severely punishing Bonaparte, who, with one knee precariously on 'Turk[ey]' (Egypt), is about to fall backwards into space. Bonaparte wears a huge cocked h... More
Consequences of a successful French invasion. Me teach de English repu...
The hoe-driver stands on the left of the line of hoers (right), who advance diagonally. The husbandman is a fat John Bull, his wife a comely woman. Beyond the 'old man' is a fifth man. On the extreme right, Gil... More
A French gentleman, of the court of Louis XVIth. A French gentleman, o...
An elderly courtier of the 'ancien régime' (left) bows low, in profile to the right, grimacing. His features are aquiline. He wears a high toupet wig and a large black bag (which flies into the air as he bows) ... More
A French gentleman, of the court of Louis XVIth. A French gentleman, o...
An elderly courtier of the 'ancien régime' (left) bows low, in profile to the right, grimacing. His features are aquiline. He wears a high toupet wig and a large black bag (which flies into the air as he bows) ... More
A French gentleman, of the court of Louis XVIth. A French gentleman, o...
An elderly courtier of the 'ancien régime' (left) bows low, in profile to the right, grimacing. His features are aquiline. He wears a high toupet wig and a large black bag (which flies into the air as he bows) ... More
Waltzer au Mouchoir, James Gillray
A couple dance in an assembly-room. The man, active and disheveled, smaller than his immensely fat partner, holds the ends of a large spotted handkerchief, since it is impossible to grasp her waist. In the back... More
German luxury - or - repos a l'Allemande, James Gillray
A German officer lies on his back on a truckle bed in a poverty-stricken room. He smokes a long curved pipe, emitting clouds of smoke. His bare feet project from the striped duvet which is his only covering. On... More
Two-penny whist, James Gillray - Public domain engraving
This appears to be intended as a sketch of one of the ordinary evening parties at the house of Mrs. Humphrey, the publisher of Gillray's caricatures. Mrs. Betty is the winner of the game, to the evident astonis... More
Buonaparte leaving Egypt, James Gillray
Bonaparte stands on the sea-shore, about to embark (on 23 Aug. 1799) in a boat (left) which will take him to a ship in full sail (the 'Muiron'). He looks with a sly leer to the right, where a little band of rag... More
Democratic gratitude ; Democratic religion, James Gillray
Two panels from a sequence of eight designs, arranged in two rows, titled "Democracy - or - a Sketch of the Life of Buonaparte." [Left] Democratic Gratitude. Buonaparte heading the Regicide Banditti which had d... More
A standing-dish at Boodles, James Gillray
A stout elderly man (three-quarter length) sits astride across a chair, his arms folded on its back. He wears a hat and holds a cane. His head is turned in profile to the left, and is seen through the wide-open... More
The fashionable mamma - or - the convenience of modern dress, James Gi...
A fashionably dressed woman sits (left) in profile to the right, on an upright chair, while a carriage waits for her. Her loose dress, high to the neck, has two embroidered slits to reveal the breasts. A pretty... More
Democratic glory ; Democratic consolations, James Gillray
Two panels from a sequence of eight designs, arranged in two rows, titled "Democracy - or - a Sketch of the Life of Buonaparte." [Left] Democratic Glory. Buonaparte as Grand Consul of France receiving the adula... More
Venus attired by the Graces, James Gillray
A fat ugly woman sits squarely on a stool, in stays and petticoat with clumsy ungartered stockings. Three women, grotesquely ugly, advance towards her, one with a cap, the other with a petticoat, a third with a... More
Cockney-sportsmen recharging ; Cockney sportsmen finding a hare, James...
[Top] The younger man (rather thin and fashionably dressed, wearing Hessian boots with pointed toes) stands legs astride negligently using a ramrod. A bleeding cock hangs from his waist. His companion (a fat Jo... More
Democratic gratitude ; Democratic religion, James Gillray
Two panels from a sequence of eight designs, arranged in two rows, titled "Democracy - or - a Sketch of the Life of Buonaparte." [Left] Democratic Gratitude. Buonaparte heading the Regicide Banditti which had d... More
Democratic courage ; Democratic honor, James Gillray
Two panels from a sequence of eight designs, arranged in two rows, titled "Democracy - or - a Sketch of the Life of Buonaparte." [Left] Democratic courage. Buonaparte deserting his Army in Egypt for fear of the... More
Preparing for the grand attack - or - a private rehearsal of "The ci-d...
Burdett (right) declaims a speech whose heads are inscribed on a gigantic scroll held out to him by Fox. Fox raises his arms high to hold the scroll, one end of which falls behind his head and shoulders. The ot... More
Playing in parts, James Gillray
Amateur musicians, the design based on 'Ars-Musica,' altered, and much elaborated. Four ugly and elderly men grouped round a young woman who sits, full face, at a square piano lit by a guttering candle. She lif... More
Integrity retiring from office, James Gillray
The resigning Ministers issue from the arched gateway of the Treasury, led by Pitt (right) who, with an oratorical gesture, holds out a document. Behind him is Dundas (Secretary of State for War), holding Pitt'... More
Metallic-tractors, James Gillray
A fat citizen (three-quarter length), seated in an armchair, endures an operation upon the carbuncles of his bloated nose. The operator (left), thin and high-shouldered, holds the patient's forehead and applies... More
Dido in despair, James Gillray - coin, public domain photograph
A bedroom scene. Lady Hamilton, grotesquely fat, but with traces of beauty in her features, rises from a curtained bed, arms and one leg extended in a burlesqued gesture of despair. She wears a nightgown and la... More
Advantages of wearing muslin dresses!, James Gillray
After the title, "dedicated to the serious attention of the Fashionable Ladies of Great Britain." An enormously fat lady flings up arms, legs, and tea-cup in terror, as her flimsy gown catches fire from a red-h... More
Bat catching, James Gillray - Engraving, Public domain image
Addington and Hawkesbury, in the gateway of the Treasury, snare three bats with the heads of Grey, Sheridan, and Tierney. Addington kneels on one knee holding out a dark lantern and a hat with a tricolour cocka... More
The King of Brobdingnag, and Gulliver. Vide - Swifts Gullivers voyage ...
George III, half length, stands in profile to the left, a holding a tiny Napoleon on the palm of his right hand, and inspecting him through a spy-glass. He wears military uniform with a bag-wig. The only backgr... More
The Bulstrode siren, James Gillray
The Duke of Portland and Mrs. Billington sit side by side on a settee. She sings to him, he listens ecstatically, with clasped hands, his head turned in profile to the right, staring with amorous intensity. She... More
Germans eating sour-krout, James Gillray
Five Germans seated at a round table, gormandize savagely on cabbage and sausages. Three are grossly fat and coarse-featured and plebeian; one of these (r.) has tucked the table-cloth round his neck. A lean mil... More
Physical aid - or - Britannia recoverd from a trance - also, the patri...
Britannia, terrified, faint, and dishevelled sits on the ground supported by Addington and Hawkesbury, and defended by Sheridan, a Silenus-like and ragged Harlequin. They are on the coast towards which are adva... More
Physical aid - or - Britannia recoverd from a trance - also, the patri...
Britannia, terrified, faint, and dishevelled sits on the ground supported by Addington and Hawkesbury, and defended by Sheridan, a Silenus-like and ragged Harlequin. They are on the coast towards which are adva... More
The Bulstrode siren, James Gillray
The Duke of Portland and Mrs. Billington sit side by side on a settee. She sings to him, he listens ecstatically, with clasped hands, his head turned in profile to the right, staring with amorous intensity. She... More
The reconciliation, James Gillray
The King steps forward to embrace the Prince of Wales, who throws himself into his father's arms. George III wears court dress, the Prince's dress is tattered and disheveled, his pocket hangs inside out, the ga... More
A hint to young officers, James Gillray
Lord Moira, a candle in each hand, stands in the doorway of his house. He wears a dressing-gown in place of a coat He has opened the door to a young officer, who steps forward unsteadily raising his cocked hat.... More
The King of Brobdingnag and Gulliver. (Plate 2), James Gillray
The King and Queen sit on chairs of state intently watching a rectangular tank in which Napoleon as Gulliver sails his little boat, manoeuvring the single sail. Behind the King's chair Lord Salisbury stands sti... More
Company shocked at a lady getting up to ring the bell
A violent disturbance in a luxuriously furnished breakfast parlour. The only lady present has risen from her chair to pull a bell-pull. The frantic efforts of five elderly men to stop her have produced a sequen... More
A morning ride, James Gillray - Drawing. Public domain image.
The Prince of Wales and McMahon ride side by side (r. to left.) past Carlton House, followed by a groom. The Prince, stout and dignified, sits very upright on a high-stepping horse. McMahon's much smaller mount... More
A morning ride, James Gillray - Drawing. Public domain image.
The Prince of Wales and McMahon ride side by side (r. to left.) past Carlton House, followed by a groom. The Prince, stout and dignified, sits very upright on a high-stepping horse. McMahon's much smaller mount... More
An old maid on a journey, James Gillray
A procession from the open door of an inn (r.) towards the room destined for the traveller. A fat, ugly, elderly woman with a twisted, appraising profile, holding up a fan in her right hand, from the little fin... More
Fortune-hunting, James Gillray - Drawing. Public domain image.
A fat elderly man in a hunting-cap has dismounted under an oak tree to have his fortune told by a ragged old gypsy woman, who reads his hand. He listens, surprised and delighted, while another gypsy, kneeling b... More
Political candour, i.e. coalition resolutions of June 14th, 1805, Jame...
Fox makes a speech in the House of Commons; a large section of the crowded Opposition benches is shown (r.). Pitt sits alone on the Treasury Bench, his profile only appearing on the extreme left. The rest of th... More
Political candour, i.e. coalition resolutions of June 14th, 1805, Jame...
Fox makes a speech in the House of Commons; a large section of the crowded Opposition benches is shown (r.). Pitt sits alone on the Treasury Bench, his profile only appearing on the extreme left. The rest of th... More
Uncorking old sherry, James Gillray
Pitt stands in the House of Commons, facing the opposition benches. He causes a tremendous explosion by uncorking a bottle containing the bloated and scowling face of Sheridan, whose hair swirls up into the nec... More
Clearing a five-bar-gate, James Gillray
A horse shies at a high and solid gate throwing its fat rider, who flies sideways through the air with arms extended. He wears red coat and top-boots. Behind shrubs on the farther side of the gate lies a bull, ... More
A cockney & his wife going to Wycombe, James Gillray
The pair, seated in a gig, drive (r. to left.) along a country road, preceded by a mongrel dog carrying a large bone. The man drives the miserable hack with the air of an expert, flicking a heavy lash over the ... More
Uncorking old sherry, James Gillray
Pitt stands in the House of Commons, facing the opposition benches. He causes a tremendous explosion by uncorking a bottle containing the bloated and scowling face of Sheridan, whose hair swirls up into the nec... More
Fast-asleep, James Gillray - Drawing. Public domain image.
An elderly 'cit' sleeps in a low, upright chair, leaning back till his profile faces the ceiling. His hands are clasped over his chest, his wig dangles from his coat-collar, and he puffs from tightly shut lips.... More
Tiddy-doll the great French-gingerbread-baker drawing out a new batch ...
The title continues: his Man hopping Talley mixing up the Dough. Napoleon is the London street-seller of gingerbread cakes whose wares and patter made him a long-remembered character. He stands in his bakery vi... More
"The friend of the people" & his petty-new tax-gatherer paying John Bu...
Fox and Lord Henry Petty stand at the door of a ramshackle tenement house. A distressed family look down at them from an open casement window over the door. Petty's hand is on the knocker. He holds a large open... More
"The friend of the people" & his petty-new tax-gatherer paying John Bu...
Fox and Lord Henry Petty stand at the door of a ramshackle tenement house. A distressed family look down at them from an open casement window over the door. Petty's hand is on the knocker. He holds a large open... More
More pigs than teats - or - the new litter of hungry grunters sucking ...
An old sow lies exhausted on a pile of straw outside a sty roofed with dilapidated thatch. She is beset by thirty-two voracious piglets with human heads. John Bull, a clumsy yokel in a smock, holding a pitchfor... More
The magnanimous minister chastiseing Prussian perfidy, James Gillray
Fox, wearing a military cocked hat, with civilian dress, threatens Prussia (or Frederick William III) with his sabre, while he puts a foot on the sword that Prussia has dropped. The latter, a grotesque figure w... More
The bear and his leader, James Gillray
Grenville (r.) displays a dancing bear with the head of Fox enclosed in a muzzle. He holds a chain attached to the muzzle and a long heavy staff. The bear obediently and clumsily repeats the dancing-step of his... More
Pacific overtures - or - a flight from St Cloud's "Over the Water to C...
The stage, flanked by the stage-boxes, extends across the design, the base of which is the orchestra, where the new Ministry perform. George III has stepped on to the stage from the royal box (l.) and confronts... More
Morning promenade upon the cliff, Brighton, James Gillray
Young women, gaily dressed, ride donkeys along a rough road at the edge of a cliff indicated by a railing and the sea below. There are three groups inscribed respectively 'Kicking-Sett,' 'Active-Sett,' and 'Pas... More
Pacific overtures - or - a flight from St Cloud's "Over the Water to C...
The stage, flanked by the stage-boxes, extends across the design, the base of which is the orchestra, where the new Ministry perform. George III has stepped on to the stage from the royal box (l.) and confronts... More
Le diable-boiteux - or - the Devil upon two sticks conveying John Bull...
Fox, as the Devil, has sprung into the air, supported by small feathered wings and by two stout crutches, which rest upon dark clouds. He has a heavy hairy body with cloven hoofs, and wears a bonnet rouge with ... More
Wide-awake, James Gillray - Drawing. Public domain image.
A 'cit,' ugly and elderly, sits full face at r. angles to the fire (r.). He has been suddenly awakened by two squalling cats behind him (l.) and registers surprise and terror, with staring eyes and gaping, dist... More
"The friend of the people" & his petty-new tax-gatherer paying John Bu...
Fox and Lord Henry Petty stand at the door of a ramshackle tenement house. A distressed family look down at them from an open casement window over the door. Petty's hand is on the knocker. He holds a large open... More
A kick at the broad-bottoms! i.e. Emancipation of all the talents
George III (l.), just risen from the throne, kicks Grenville from the presence, holding him by the pigtail, and raising the sceptre to smite. Other members of the Ministry flee in confusion, their gestures show... More