"Praetor-Urbanus;" - inauguration of the Coptic Mayor of Cairo, preceded by the Procureur de la Commune'

© National Portrait Gallery, London

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

"Praetor-Urbanus;" - inauguration of the Coptic Mayor of Cairo, preceded by the Procureur de la Commune'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 12 March 1799
10 1/8 in. x 14 3/4 in. (255 mm x 375 mm) plate size; 10 1/2 in. x 15 3/8 in. (268 mm x 389 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12684

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

This is a historical work of art which reflects the attitudes and viewpoints of the time in which it was made. Whilst these may differ from today's attitudes, this image is an important historical document.

This print is from a series called the 'Egyptian Sketches', which Gillray based on French letters and drawings intercepted by the Royal Navy during Napoleon's campaign in Egypt of 1798-99. In this image, Gillray satirises the French attempt to reorganise the political and municipal structures of Cairo on the same model as the French Republic.

The city's new mayor, the man on the donkey, is being led by the 'praetor urbanus' of the title, a Latin term for a civic magistrate. At the rear is a French soldier sticking a bayonet into the donkey's hindquarters. The new mayor is a Copt – an Egyptian Christian.

The print refers to the French promotion of Copts to positions of authority over the predominantly Muslim population. The two Egyptian men are grossly caricatured: semi-clothed and barefoot but for the accoutrements of their new French overlords – a tricolour sash and tricorn hat – and some flashy jewellery, suggesting that material gain was the motivating factor in their collaboration with the French.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D12678: 'Egyptian sketches' (from same series as)
  • NPG D12679: '"Tirailleur Francais, et chevau leger de l'armée du Pacha du Rhodes" - evolutions of French mounted riflemen' (from same series as)
  • NPG D12680: '"L'insurrection de l'Institut Amphibie." - the pursuit of knowledge' (from same series as)
  • NPG D12681: '"L'Infanterie Francaise en Egypte." - le Genéral l'Asne converted to Ibrahim Bey' (from same series as)
  • NPG D12682: 'Théologie à la Turque. - the pale of the Church of Mahomet. -' (from same series as)
  • NPG D12683: '"Mamlouk, et Hussard Republicain." - general result of Buonaparte's attack upon Ibrahim Bey's rear guard' (from same series as)

Placesback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1799back to top

Current affairs

The Prince of Wales is reconciled with his secret wife Maria Fitzherbert.
Corresponding Societies Act is passed prohibiting certain named political groups including the radical London Corresponding Society and the United Irishmen.

Art and science

The Swiss artist Henry Fuseli, resident in England since 1778, is appointed Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy.
The conservative educator Hannah More publishes her Strictures on Female Education which criticised demands for women's rights while proposing an active role for them within religious and moral movements.

International

Successful defence of Acre in the Levant is led by William Sidney Smith.
British expedition to Holland, led by General Ralph Abercromby, ends in evacuation after allies defeated at Battle of Bergen-op-Zoom.
Fall of the ruling Directory in France. Napoleon seizes power.
The Rosetta Stone is discovered in Egypt.

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.