Hand-coloured etchings 1805

260 x 360 mm [270 x 375 mm] each

Ref: British Museum nos. 10472 & 10473

Fine bright impressions in very good condition on wove paper with later colouring from an edition c. 1870. Originally published by Hannah Humphrey, St. James's Street, London, October 25th, 1805.

An amusing pair of prints by James Gillray, one of the leading artists making satirical, political cartoons in the 18th Century. The first scene full of optimism, romance and joy, see the hidden symbolism in the cats happily playing together, the open book of Ovid, Cupid shooting his torch at the cooing doves, the heart-shaped vase and the melodious music of the harp being played by the attractive young woman. The second scene, after several years of marriage, depicting discordant music on the piano being played by a not-so-attractive and haggard older woman, a red-faced wailing baby, an agitated pussy, an inattentive husband reading the sports page, a frigid temperature-registering thermometer, cupid, now a spent force, sleeping, and The Wedding Ring - A Dirge having fallen on floor and a copy of The Art of Tormenting lying open on a chair.