'The plumb-pudding in danger: - or - state epicures taking un petit souper' (William Pitt; Napoléon Bonaparte)
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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'The plumb-pudding in danger: - or - state epicures taking un petit souper' (William Pitt; Napoléon Bonaparte)
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 26 February 1805
10 1/4 in. x 14 1/4 in. (261 mm x 362 mm) plate size; 10 7/8 in. x 15 in. (276 mm x 381 mm) paper size
Purchased, 1947
Reference Collection
NPG D12840
Sittersback to top
- Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Emperor of France 1804-14. Sitter associated with 91 portraits.
- William Pitt (1759-1806), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 174 portraits.
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 719 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
This portraitback to top
'The plumb-pudding in danger' is probably Gillray's most famous print. It achieves its impact through the simplicity of its design and the brilliant economy with which Gillray captures the political situation. Napoleon Bonaparte and William Pitt face each other across a steaming 'plum-pudding' globe, both intent on carving themselves a substantial portion of the world. Pitt appears calm, meticulous and confident, spearing the pudding with a trident indicative of British naval supremacy. He lays claim to the oceans and the West Indies. In contrast Napoleon Bonaparte reaches from his chair with covetous, twitching eyes fixed on the prize of Europe and cuts away France, Holland, Spain, Switzerland, Italy and the Mediterranean.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Holmes, Richard, The Romantic Poets and Their Circle, 2013, p. 8
- Holmes, Richard, Insights: The Romantic Poets and Their Circle, 2005, p. 9
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1805back to top
Current affairs
Nelson's state funeral is held at St Paul's. An occasion for an outpouring of national grief and patriotism, the grand ceremony built on the cult of Nelson which had emerged in the years before his death.Art and science
Mary Tighe publishes Pysche or the Legend of Love, a romantic allegory in the fashionable medieval revival style, admired by both Keats and Shelley.The 'poems of Ossian' are officially declared a fake and a great literary scandal ends as Scottish poet James Macpherson is exposed as the forger of the third century bard's epic works.
International
Battle of Trafalgar. Napoleon's ultimate plan to invade England from Boulogne with 100,000 men is thwarted by superior British naval power. Nelson dies in the closing moments of battle having been wounded by a French sniper, but survives long enough to learn that a decisive victory has been won.Tell us more back to top
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