The Plumb-Pudding in Danger;–or–State Epicures Taking un Petit Souper
Original title: The Plumb-Pudding in Danger;–or–State Epicures Taking un Petit Souper
kurzbeschreibung
William Pitt and Napoleon Bonaparte share a globe served as a plum pudding in this hand-colored etching by James Gillray from 1805. The print mocks the territorial appetites of both powers.
Description
Two officers in gold-braided uniforms and feathered hats sit facing each other, knives in hand. On the table between them rests a globe, arranged like a plum pudding and labeled with continents, Europe included. Coats of arms decorate the chairs; bright colors and even lighting define the humorously exaggerated image.
Context
In 1805, amid the Napoleonic Wars, Britain and France vied for supremacy in Europe and overseas. Gillray translates this conflict into a scene where Pitt and Napoleon divide the world like a pudding. The sheet was published in London for an educated, politically engaged audience.
Impact
Greedy eaters instead of statesmen: the exaggeration creates both comedy and unease. Watching the two carve up the globe reveals the absurdity of imperial claims—a satire that has lost none of its relevance.
Technique
Etched in copper and then hand-colored, the print combines precise lines with bold colors. This working method is typical of Gillray, whose sheets are known for their detail and satirical bite.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)