James Gillray

August 13, 1756 – June 1, 1815

In a world lost in turmoil, James Gillray was able to critique and criticize using caricature and satire to the amusement of the British populous.

Background for Context

In the late eighteen century, the world found itself in a state of upheaval. Growing discontent with the status quo among the lowest classes thrust humanity into an age of revolution. As a result, new leaders, new governments, and new issues emerged, practically changing the face of Europe. These societal revisions saw conflict, conquest, and colonization carve up the world amongst European empires. However, the road which paved this change was plagued with the questionable actions of revolutionaries. Spurred by fear of failure, slave rebellions in Haiti and systematic executions in France were encouraged to be increasingly radical to quickly break from the systems of old. These circumstances arose the question if the ends truly justified the means. It would be in this great societal debate that James Gillray would create his most famous works.

An 1819 mezzotint portrait of James Gillray created by Charles Turner.

Source : National Portrait Gallery

The Apprentice Engraver

James Gillray was born on August 13 of 1756 to a family of devout Moravian Protestants. Their beliefs involved the idea that children should be raised in isolation, removed from the impurities of the outside world. At the age of five, Gillray was sent to a boarding school where he would remain for nearly four years. Under the institution’s abysmal conditions, his older brother would die at the age of eight. This trauma would shape Gillray’s view on both authority and the religion which he was indoctrinated into, views later contributing to his style. As he entered his teenage years, Gillray would pick up the skill of engraving and work as a calligrapher’s apprentice. Recognized for his talent, he was able to attend the prestigious Royal Academy in 1778. His teacher was Francesco Bartolozzi, a leading engraver from Venice who received requests from King George III. As Bartolozzi’s protégée, he honed his skills and entered the workforce as a printmaker. While he was a skilled printmaker, he would find his true passion in caricature. Able to apply his skills, Gillray would further explore the field of engraving. Viewing the increased popularity of caricature printmaking amongst London’s public, Gillray would find his enduring passion.

A Revolution in Satire

While Gillray was by no means the first caricaturist or cartoonist in Britain, he was able to revolutionize the field. Owing to his troubled childhood, Gillray introduced a particularly unique style focusing on grotesque and deviant depictions of people, typically aristocrats. His first certain print in 1779, “Paddy on Horseback”, would set this precedent for his future works. For the duration of the 1780s, he would work on smaller portrait prints for various publishers, gaining a reputation for his skill. In 1791, he befriended Ms. Hannah Humphrey and committed to publishing nearly exclusively for her shop. He promptly moved in with Ms. Humphrey and they would become lifelong platonic confidants. It would be from the shop of Ms. Humphrey where Gillray would release his most successful works. His bold statements attracted the eye of Britain’s aristocracy whom the caricatures were primarily made for. His prints were praised as intelligent and revolutionary for the period; he’d furthered the development of the satirical cartoon. From Ms. Humphrey’s home, Gillray observed the faults of his world. Taking his criticism to print, Gillray would immortalize his views on the turmoil befalling the globe.

A Selection of Gillray’s Notable Works

This print depicts French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte fueling an oven with cannonballs and taking out a “batch of kings”. Gillray is criticizing the war efforts of Napoleon and compares the ease at which he “creates” monarchs to the simplicity of baking gingerbread.