The art of caricature.(James Gillray, Tate Britain, London, England)(Brief Article)

Satirical art, particularly in Britain, has a long and interesting history. There were unexpected practitioners, such as Joshua Reynolds, who painted several caricatures when he was in Rome between 1750 and 1752. Among those well known for this type of work are George Townshend, William Hogarth, George Cruikshank, and James Gillray.

Gillray was born in the Chelsea section of London in 1756, and from childhood he determined on a career as an artist. Early biographical details are sketchy, but it is known that for about three years in the early 1770s he was apprenticed to Harry Ashby, whose shop produced trade cards, certificates, and other routine engraved items. Then, in 1778 he was admitted to the Royal Academy Schools to study engraving. He planned to become a professional engraver, copying the work of others as well as engraving his own designs.

Reproductive engravers were meant to copy the works before them without personal interpretation. Although Gillray attempted to keep to the straight ...