John Bull taking a luncheon: - or - British cooks, cramming old grumble-gizzard, with bonne-chére

Artistsback to top

• James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist associated with 881 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
• Hannah Humphrey (active 1778-1822), Publisher and printseller. Artist associated with 717 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

Sittersback to top

• Alexander Hood, 1st Viscount Bridport (1726-1814), Admiral. Sitter in 12 portraits.
• John Bull (supposed active 1712), Fictitious epitomist of Englishness and British imperialism. Sitter associated with 89 portraits.
• Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan (1731-1804), Admiral. Sitter in 16 portraits.
• Charles James Fox (1749-1806), Whig statesman. Sitter associated with 299 portraits.
• Alan Gardner, 1st Baron Gardner (1742-1808 or 1809), Admiral. Sitter associated with 8 portraits.
• Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe (1726-1799), Admiral. Sitter in 18 portraits.
• Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805), Vice-Admiral and victor of Trafalgar. Sitter associated with 84 portraits.
• John Jervis, Earl of St Vincent (1735-1823), Admiral. Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
• Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816), Dramatist and parliamentary orator. Sitter associated with 162 portraits.
• Sir John Borlase Warren (1753-1822), Admiral. Sitter in 5 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This print is one of several produced to celebrate Britain's victory at Aboukir Bay in August 1798. Nelson, wearing an apron over his uniform, serves John Bull a main course of captured French ships. He is surrounded by other heroic British admirals including General Howe, Earl St Vincent and Sir John Warren who offer a variety of other dishes, symbolising previous naval triumphs. An already obese John Bull, symbol of England and a regular figure in Gillray's work, appears here as 'Old Grumble-Gizzard' complaining ungraciously about the excess of victories on offer. The table is laid with crossed cannons, a plate of battered ships and side-dishes containing small gunboats. Opposition MPs Charles James Fox and Richard Brinsley Sheridan who had predicted defeat, appear at the window in a distressed state.

Portrait setback to top

• James Gillray etchings, 1777-1811 (1798-1800)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• British victories
• Gillray in Focus
• National stereotypes
• Nelson
• Transport and vehicles