| Method | Etching with hand colouing |
| Artist | James Gillray |
| Published | Publishd December 1st. 1807, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James's Street - London. |
| Dimensions | Image 237 x 350 mm, Sheet 251 x 356 mm |
| Notes |
Signed within the image "Js. Gillray fect" and inscribed below image "J. Cd Esqr. invt-". A comical social satire of a well-to-do couple out on a horse ride that has gone awry. The print depicts an old Field Hunter horse shedding it's riders after hearing the sound of a nearby hunting horn. The horse rears up as it prepares to join the huntsmen in full cry in the background, tipping the man backwards losing control of the reigns and his riding crop, with his spur cutting the bared leg of his large female companion behind. The obese lady on the rear of the horse has been jolted off towards the water below, grabbing at the man's hair and kicking him in the back, her dress has rucked up exposing her stockings and undergarment. James Gillray (c.1756-1815) was a British caricaturist and printmaker famous for his etched political and social satires. Born in Chelsea, Gillray studied letter-engraving, and was later admitted to the Royal Academy where he was influenced by the work of Hogarth. His caricature L'Assemblée Nationale (1804) gained huge notoriety when the Prince of Wales paid a large sum of money to have it suppressed and its plate destroyed. Gillray lived with his publisher and print-seller Miss (often called Mrs) Humphrey during the entire period of his fame. Twopenny Whist, a depiction of four individuals playing cards, is widely believed to feature Miss Humphrey as an ageing lady with eyeglasses and a bonnet. One of Gillray's later prints, Very Slippy-Weather, shows Miss Humphrey's shop in St. James's Street in the background. In the shop window a number of Gillray's previously published prints, such as Tiddy-Doll the Great French Gingerbread Maker [...] a satire on Napoleon's king-making proclivities, are shown in the shop window. His last work Interior of a Barber's Shop in Assize Time, from a design by Bunbury, was published in 1811. While he was engaged on it he became mad, although he had occasional intervals of sanity. Gillray died on 1 June 1815, and was buried in St James's churchyard, Piccadilly. BM Satires 10803 Condition: Trimmed just outside platemark. Early hand colour lightly faded. Bottom left corner of sheet reinforced on verso, not affecting printed area. Repair to short tear to right margin. Old album residue in corners on verso. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £550.00 |
| Stock ID | 52571 |