A Peep at Christies;–or–Tally-ho & his Nimeny-pimeney taking the Morning Lounge
Original title: A Peep at Christies;–or–Tally-ho & his Nimeny-pimeney taking the Morning Lounge
kurzbeschreibung
James Gillray's 1796 caricature 'A Peep at Christies; – or – Tally-ho & his Nimeny-pimeney taking the Morning Lounge' presents a crowd of fashionably dressed people in an art gallery. Executed as a hand-coloured etching and aquatint, the print pokes fun at the art-loving public of the day.
Description
A room whose walls are closely hung with paintings and portraits sets the stage. In front stands a woman in a long pink-and-white dress, holding a paper; beside her, a child in a blue shirt and brown trousers holds a book. She appears to be accompanying the child, while behind them other figures in historical dress move about. Warm tones of pink, blue and brown dominate the colouring, with bright accents in dots. The light falls evenly across the scene, without strong shadows or contrasts.
Context
As auctions and exhibitions in London around 1796 became social occasions, Gillray created this caricature. It mocks the posturing of art lovers and snobs who put themselves on display in galleries such as Christie's. The title takes up fashionable turns of phrase and alludes to the 'Morning Lounge', a sociable morning gathering. Gillray was known for his satirical attacks on the social and political conditions of his time.
Impact
The detailed execution and the ironic exaggeration of the figures make the print both amusing and critical. The warm colouring and calm layout temper the satire, so that the caricature seems more entertaining than sharp. Viewers are prompted to see the displayed enthusiasm for art with a wink.
Technique
An etching with aquatint, subsequently coloured by hand, is presented here. This process allowed fine lines and soft tonal gradations, which were used for the satirical rendering of the figures and rooms. The hand colouring gives the print a lively, pastel-like character.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)