National discourse / M.M. fecit.

Image not available
James Gillray
National discourse / M.M. fecit.
etching, hand-colored
image: 194 x 226 mm; plate mark: 226 x 260 mm; sheet: 215 x 238 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2329
Published: 
[London] : Publish'd Augt. 9th, 1780, by W. Humphrey No. 227 Strand, [1780]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Possibly by Gillray (Cf. BM Satires).
Title from item.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.

Summary: 

A British and a French sailor addressing one another. The British sailor stands full-face, a club in his right hand, his left hand on his hip. He wears a crowned hat, a handkerchief knotted round his neck, and wide, knee-length trousers. He scowls threateningly. The Frenchman, very thin, stands facing him, in profile to the left; he grins, saying "Ha! Ha! we beata You": the Englishman answers "you Lie". The Frenchman wears a feathered hat, ruffled shirt, long trousers, and a cutlass. His hair is in a very long pigtail queue, tied with a bow of ribbon. In the background a naval battle is indicated by ships and clouds of smoke slightly sketched. Cf. British Museum catalogue.

Artist page: 
Classification: 
Department: