Georgian Political Satire! 2 Gilray Hand-Colored Etchings Depicting Prime Ministers, MPs, & Britannia Herself!

Two lovely hand-colored etchings by printmaker James Gilray (1756-1815) including: "The Nursery; with Britannia reposing in Peace," December 4, 1802; and "The Fall of Icarus," April 20, 1807. From a recently discovered collection that has not seen the light of day for over 70 years!

James Gilray, a printmaker who flourished from 1790 to 1810, was celebrated for his biting political caricatures and cartoons. His work was often published by female publisher/print seller Hannah Humphrey (1745-1818), who ran a shop on St. James's Street from 1797 to 1817.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A hand-colored etching by James Gilray, "The Nursery; with Britannia reposing in Peace," published by James Gilray on December 4, 1802. Entitled and signed in stone along the bottom margin. Expected wear including toning, repaired closed tears, and isolated chipped edges, else near fine and in vibrant colors. 17.5" x 13.125."

Gilray's republican imagery, in its depictions of tricolored ribbons, Phrygian caps, red sashes, and a jar of "French pap," insinuated that British politicians were aligning themselves too closely with France and its Jacobin politics. The print shows Britannia as a thumb-sucking tot being rocked in a cradle by Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), Prime Minister between 1801-1804. Britannia's two other nursemaids include Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool (1770-1828), Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from 1801-1804, carrying a commode chair at left; and Charles James Fox (1749-1806), then a Member of Parliament from Westminster and a rabid supporter of the French Revolution, in front of the fire drying baby diapers.

2. A hand-colored etching by James Gilray, "The Fall of Icarus," published by Hannah Humphrey on April 20, 1807. Signed in stone along the bottom above the work title and a 4-stanza rhyming poem. Expected wear. Minor toning, several large wrinkles, and mounting traces verso, else near fine. 11.25" x 16.125."

Gilray makes playful allusions to the Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus in this cartoon. The figure of Icarus is based on Earl Temple, also known as Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos (1776-1839), who had just lost all of his political power following the ouster of his uncle, Lord Grenville, as Prime Minister in late March 1807. The figure of Daedalus portrayed Earl Temple's father, George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham (1753-1813), installed in the role of the Tellership of the Exchequer. The unmistakable visage of George III is silhouetted against the sun. The king watches unsympathetically as Earl Temple's wings, made of feathered writing quills and sealing wax, start to melt and fall apart.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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