59 OF 99 
'French liberty British slavery'
59 of 99 portraits matching these criteria:
- set matching 'James Gillray etchings (1790-4)'
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Share this
'French liberty British slavery'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 21 December 1792
9 3/4 in. x 13 7/8 in. (249 mm x 353 mm) plate size; 10 1/4 in. x 14 3/8 in. (260 mm x 364 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12466
Artistsback to top
- James Gillray (1756-1815), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 887 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
- Hannah Humphrey (circa 1745-1818), Publisher and printseller. Artist or producer associated with 720 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
This portraitback to top
Contrasting the lean and the fat was a traditional yet highly compelling satirical staple. Combined here to great effect with national stereotypes, a ragged, starving sans-culotte sits to one side eating raw onions and a chamberpot full of snails in front of a miserable smoking fire. Despite the mean circumstances that reflect the very real economic crisis France was facing at this time, he revels in his freedom and delightedly proclaims 'we swim in the Milk & Honey!' The comparative image is a bloated Englishman, with face blotched from drink and shoes slit to relieve his gout. He carves a large side of beef, accompanied by a foaming tankard of ale yet decries the present government for enslaving him and starving him to death. Gillray was later paid an annual pension for his satiric service to the Tory Anti-Jacobin Review.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1792back to top
Current affairs
The famous seven year trial of Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal, on charges of embezzlement and murder, ends with his acquittal. Pro-Revolutionary philosopher Joseph Priestley's house is destroyed by a mob on the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. Their actions are later seen as a key moment in the defeat of Enlightenment ideals in England.Art and science
Mary Wollstonecraft publishes A Vindication of the Rights of Woman; a radical work which called on women to be allies to one another; fearless in their support and free in their criticism.Sir Joshua Reynolds dies and is succeeded by Benjamin West as President of the Royal Academy.
International
The mob invades the Tuileries and the French Royal Family is imprisoned marking the end of France's experiment with constitutional monarchy and the declaration of the first French Republic.The Revolutionary Commune is established in Paris.
France declares war on Austria and then Prussia.
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
