Improvement in Weights and Measures; or, Sir John Seeclear Discovering Ye Ballance of Ye British Flag
Original title: Improvement in Weights and Measures; or, Sir John Seeclear Discovering Ye Ballance of Ye British Flag
kurzbeschreibung
Dating from 1798, this caricature by James Gillray presents a man holding the Union Jack while also displaying a system of weights and measures. The hand-colored etching takes aim at British politics and the measurement standards of the day. The trimmed sheet measures 36.5 x 25.6 cm.
Description
A man in historical attire—green suit, white cravat, black hat—stands in the image. In one hand he carries the British flag, in the other a system of weights and measures. His free hand is raised in explanation. Behind him are a table with documents and a book; on the wall hangs a portrait of a person in a house. The red, blue, and white of the Union Jack dominate the color scheme, along with green and brown in the clothing. The light falls evenly, without shadows.
Context
The caricature was created in December 1798, during a phase of lively political satire in Britain. Gillray was known for his biting attacks on politicians and social ills. The print likely refers to contemporary discussions about units of measurement and the British flag, both regarded as symbols of national identity. Gillray worked for the publisher Hannah Humphrey, who sold his prints in London.
Impact
Clearly structured and furnished with interpretable signs, the print is quickly grasped. The exaggerated gestures and the confrontation of flag and measuring device create an ironic tension. Bold colors and precise execution make it a typical example of 18th-century political visual satire.
Technique
This is a hand-colored etching: a copper plate is etched, then the colors are applied by hand with a brush. This allows fine lines and hatching characteristic of Gillray's style. The trimming of the sheet suggests later use or framing.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)