A Sphere, Projecting Against a Plane
Original title: A Sphere, Projecting Against a Plane
kurzbeschreibung
This hand-colored etching from 1792 by James Gillray presents a sphere projected onto a plane. The sheet combines a geometric diagram with a comic figure scene. Latin definitions of 'sphere' and 'plane' appear along the bottom edge.
Description
A man with long, curly hair, wearing a blue-and-white shirt and trousers, stands in the foreground and directs his gaze at a large, round sphere in the middle of the image. The sphere has a textured pattern and rests on a wooden board with wheels, which sits on a flat surface. A fine, wavy pattern covers the background. Latin definitions of 'sphere' and 'plane' are placed at the bottom of the image.
Context
Created in London on January 3, 1792, this etching belongs to an era marked by political and social satire. The work likely parodies geometric or scientific treatises that were widespread at the time. Gillray, known for his satirical prints, often took up academic or political subjects. The Latin definitions reflect contemporary discourse on geometry and optics.
Impact
An ironic tension arises from the combination of precise geometry and absurd figure depiction. The viewer is prompted to smile while academic seriousness is undermined. The clear layout draws the eye to the central sphere and the Latin texts.
Technique
The etching was subsequently hand-colored. Fine lines and hatching are typical of Gillray's technique. Because the colors were applied manually, each impression acquires an individual character.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)