“Elements of Skateing.” “A fundamental Error in the Art of Skaiting”, “Attitude! Attitude is every thing!”,  “The Consequence of going before the Wind“, “Making the most of a passing Friend, in a case of Emergency!” Complete set of four etchings with aquatint made by James Gillray and published in London by Hannah Humphrey in 1805. With original hand colouring. Size (each): 25 x 36 cm.

Cartoonist James Gillray (1757-1815), along with satirical artists William Hogarth, Thomas Rowlandson, and George Cruikshank, made eighteenth-century England the center of caricature art.

Gillray’s prints provide a good snapshot of the history of the 18th century and the early 19th century in England. He is regarded as one of the most influential political caricaturists of all time. Gillray’s prints were exposed in Hannah Humphrey‘s shop window, as was customary in those days, where eager crowds examined them.

Gillray attacks the social follies of the time with scathing satire; and nothing escapes his notice, not even a trifling change of fashion in dress. The great tact Gillray displays in hitting on the ludicrous side of any subject is only equalled by the exquisite finish of his sketches—the finest of which reach an epic grandeur and Miltonic sublimity of conception..

Gillray’s eyesight began to fail in 1806. He began wearing spectacles but they were unsatisfactory. Unable to work to his previous high standards, James Gillray became depressed and started drinking heavily. He produced his last print in September 1809. As a result of his heavy drinking Gillray suffered from gout throughout his later life.

In July 1811 Gillray attempted to kill himself by jumping out of an attic window above Humphrey’s shop in St James’s Street. Gillray lapsed into insanity and was looked after by Hannah Humphrey for the rest of his life.

Price: Euro 1,950 (for the set of four etchings)