Prints
"The Death of Admiral Lord Nelson, in the Moment of Victory!" Etching Printed on Heavy Art Paper & Framed
December 23, 1805-Dated, Satirical Historic Etching titled, "The Death of Admiral Lord Nelson, in the Moment of Victory!", by James Gillray (1756-1815), United Kingdom, Choice Extremely Fine.
"The Death of Admiral Lord Nelson, in the Moment of Victory!", uncolored sharp etching on heavy paper, outer plate edge impression still visible, signed in plate, tiny marginal split at lower right not affecting the image, marked as published by H. (Hannah) Humphreye (c1745-1818), Dec 23d, 1805, with a further caption that reads: "This Design for the Memorial intended by the City of London to commemorate the Glorious Death of the Immortal Nelson, is with every sentiment of respect humbly submitted to the Right Honbl. the Lord Mayor & the Court of Aldermen". Displayed in a black and gold gilt bordered wooden frame, with black and gold eglomise mat. The image size is 14" x 10.5" and the overall size of the frame is 19.25" x 15." Admiral Nelson died at the young age of 47 during the Battle of Trafalgar, where Britain scored one of its most important naval victories. He was felled by a bullet from a French sharpshooter's gun.
An example of this print which has been hand-colored is located in the National Portrait Gallery, London. The Museum provides the following informative explaination: "The overblown heroism of the best-selling prints commemorating the death of Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) were ripe for parody. Unsurprisingly the caricaturist James Gillray rose to the occasion. He alternately celebrated and lampooned Nelson and in this fine etching, published only weeks after Nelson's state funeral, he managed a clever combination of both. Everything is excessive: Britannia weeps a little too extravagantly as the dying admiral swoons, grey-faced in her arms, the angel's declaration of 'Immortality' is made to seem premature and immodest while the grey clouds of smoke billow so enthusiastically they threaten to choke the assembly."
Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte (29 September 1758 - 21 October 1805) was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. His inspirational leadership, grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics brought about a number of decisive British naval victories, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was wounded in combat, losing sight in one eye in Corsica at the age of 36, and most of one arm in the unsuccessful attempt to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife when he was 40. He was fatally shot during his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
James Gillray 1756-1815:
Important draughtsman, etcher, aquatint and stipple engraver of caricatures mainly after his own designs, but also after sketches by amateurs. He was born in Chelsea and after an apprenticeship to a lettering engraver, he studied drawing at the Royal Art Schools and learnt stipple engraving from W.W. Ryland and F. Bartalozzi. He produced serious in this medium after his own designs, and after paintings by J. Northcote, while establishing his reputation as a caricaturist.
His earliest political satires date from 1780 and by the end of 1791 all of his caricature were published by Mrs. Hannah Humphrey with whom he lived for the rest of his life. His last print appeared in 1811, by which time he had become insane. He also produced one early lithograph 'A Musical Family'.