A Military Sketch, of a Gilt Stick, or Poker Emblazoned
Original title: A Military Sketch, of a Gilt Stick, or Poker Emblazoned
kurzbeschreibung
James Gillray's 1800 etching 'A Military Sketch, of a Gilt Stick, or Poker Emblazoned' takes aim at the military swagger of its day. A uniformed man stands at the center, drawn with a sharp pen and hand-colored. The print mocks both the pomp of the military and the faith placed in rank badges and decorations.
Description
A man is seen from the side, holding a golden pipe in his right hand. Over a red coat with gold braid and blue facings he wears matching trousers and black shoes; gray hair, plus a collar or epaulettes. The ground remains bare, with only a colored pattern suggesting a floor. The title appears at the top, and at the bottom right are details of the artist and publisher.
Context
Around 1800 Gillray was one of Britain's leading caricaturists and satirists, publishing numerous political and social prints in these years. This one appeared on January 11, 1800, when Britain was embroiled in the Napoleonic Wars and military display was often a target of ridicule. The gilded stick or poker refers to the awarding of orders and decorations, which in some quarters were seen as excessive and absurd.
Impact
The exaggerated uniform and the man's peculiar posture create an ironic, critical tone. The contrast between military seriousness and the silly gesture with the pipe is especially comic and invites a smile. Strong colors and clear outlines reinforce this satirical impression.
Technique
Etched lines on a metal plate, hand-colored with watercolors and then printed on paper: this is how an etching is made, its hatching and tonal values here bringing out the texture of uniform and gold braid. The manual coloring gives each impression its own lively note. The plate measures 24.8 x 20 cm, the sheet 29.3 x 22.4 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)