The military caricaturist / Js. Gillray invt. & fec.

Image not available
James Gillray
1756-1815
The military caricaturist / Js. Gillray invt. & fec.
London : Pubd Decr 6th, 1799, by H Humphrey, No 27 St James's Street, [1799]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.535
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Notes: 

The subject of Gillray's caricature has been identified as amateur artist General Thomas Davies. Cf. George.

Summary: 

Print shows an officer wearing boots, plumed cocked hat, and an enormous sabre, stands full-face, with shoulders hunched, a porte-crayon in his mouth. Under his right arm is a portfolio of 'Caricatures', while crude caricature prints are pinned to the wall: 'Wit' is a squatting woman looking over her shoulder to say "Baiser!". 'Character' is a quasi-lion with an ass's head inscribed 'This is a Red Lion'. A print of a Jean-de-Bry coat and a boot is inscribed 'Classick Studies'. An African woman (possibly intended to represent Sarah Baartman) is inscribed 'Venus de Medicis is Grace'. A goat painting a recumbent nude on a canvas inscribed 'Leith Harbour is Refined Sentiment'. On a table against the wall (right) is a bottle of 'Velno', and two books: 'Aretine's Postures' and 'La Pucelle'. Under the table is a large portfolio: 'Hints from Bunbury'; 'Mat . . Darly - Lord Townshend &c &c.'

Artist page: 
Classification: 
Department: