James Gillray

"Playing in Parts": A 19th Century James Gillray Hand-colored Musical Caricature

1801

This framed hand-colored etching and aquatint entitled "A Great Man on The Turf or Sir Solomon in all his Glory" by James Gillray was published in London by Hanna Humphrey, 27 St. James Street on July 7th 1803. The print is signed in the plate in the lower right. It depicts a man, possibly a caricature of the racehorse breeder Sir Solomon. However, there has been some controversy about the identity of the central figure on the mound. Traditionally the man has been thought to represent John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford...

A hand colored Vanity Fair caricature of a 19th century opera singer, M Jean de Reszke, entitled 'Polish Tenor'. The print was created by the most famou...

This is an early 19th century hand-colored satirical caricature etching entitled "John Bull and his favourite statue of bronze!!", published and possibly engraved in London in 1802 by William Holland (1757-1815). It depicts John Bull (symbolizing the English people) kneeling in profile before William Pitt, who was prime minister of England at the time, and for whom the American city of Pittsburgh was named. Pitt is standing, pretending to be a statue. A rectangular pedestal beneath Pitt is inscribed: "Erected by Voluntary Subscription!" Pitt's body seems elongated, reminding that this a caricature. He is standing, looking to the left, his aristocratic nose held high in apparent arrogance and his hands are deep in his pockets, with his hat under his right arm. John Bull, is dressed simply for the time. He is on in his knees in a gesture of supplication, as if in prayer or begging for some action from a deity. He is holding his hat in both hands, looking up at Pitt. Trees and bushes are seen in the background. A caption showing John Bull's words in the upper left ironically reads: "O Wonderful Man! - how I revere thy sublime resemblance. - what obligations I am under to thee! what happy times thou hast brought about! Bread for nothing! Beef 3d per pound! Porter 3d per pot! a Goose 2 shillings! and a fat Turkey 3s.6d!! - whit every thing else cheap in proportion! - besides the wonderful decrease of Taxes!! - O Dear - O Dear I hardly know how to express myself, I feel so enraptured. - O that fine brass countenance how it shines with conscious Integrity!" The engraving is presented in a gold-colored wood frame and a tan-colored mat, with curved upper corners. The frame measures 18" high, 13.13" wide and 0.5" deep. The framing and mounting utilizes acid-free archival materials and it is glazed with UV conservation clear glass. There are a few faint areas of discoloration and spotting and an apparent short barely visible crease in the lower right corner of the inscription area. The print is otherwise in very good condition. William Holland was printmaker as well as a prominent dealer of satirical prints in London in late 18th and early 19th century. He carried works by the best known satirists of the time: Gillray, Rowlandson, Newton and Woodward, as well as his own creations. Holland along with the other prominent print-sellers of the time, Hannah Humphrey and Samuel Fores, were responsible for promoting the golden age of British caricature...

This is a hand-colored aquatint and engraving entitled "Part of the New City of Alexandria, with the Light House", published in London by R. Bowyer from 1802-1805. The print was crea...

New York, Associated American Artists, 1950. Drypoint and aquatint on cream wove paper, 5 7/8 x 3 15/16 inches (150 x 100 mm), full margins. Signed and numbered 48/50 in pencil, lower margin. Printed by Stephen Sholinsky...

Deuchar, David (after van Ostade). The Smoker at the Window. Edinburgh: 1800. Etching on cream laid paper, 4 1/2 x 4 inches (119 x 100 mm), thread margins. Left top corner expertly r...

Etching with drypoint on cream wove paper, 11 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches (297 x 347 mm), full margins. Signed in pencil and numbered 32/40, lower margin. Minor mat tone and several small lo...

By Wenceslaus Hollar, after Jan Van Bylert (Biler) Etching on cream laid paper, 3 7/16 x 2 3/4 inches (87 x 70 mm), thread margins. Lacking the inscription in the plate; "Felix Bil...