Politeness
Original title: Politeness
kurzbeschreibung
Two figures exchange insults in English and French in 'Höflichkeit' — a hand-colored etching by James Gillray, made after 1780. Against a backdrop of hanging meat, the print parodies social manners.
Description
Two men sit facing each other: on the left, one in a blue coat, red waistcoat and yellow apron, with a meat dish and a stick; on the right, one in a pink shirt and green trousers, holding a book. Above their heads appear the words 'You be D__m'd' and 'Vous êtes une Bête'. Meat hangs on the wall, and pastel colors dominate the view.
Context
James Gillray was among the leading British caricaturists of the late 18th century. This print was made after 1780, during a period of heated political and social satire in Britain. Gillray often lampooned social manners and the rivalry between the English and the French. The etching exemplifies his humorous, often coarse visual language.
Impact
Exaggeration and the contrast between courtly poses and crude insults make the caricature comic. The pastel colors take the edge off the statements and underscore the satirical tone. The print thus invites a smile at the absurdity of the politeness on display.
Technique
Etching was used for this work, after which the coloring was done by hand. The lines appear fine and precise, as is characteristic of Gillray's approach. Pastel tones were applied, giving the image a soft, almost friendly appearance.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)