The Rake's Progress ay the University. No. 2

Method Etching and aquatint with original hand colouring
Artist after James Gillray
Published c. 1824
Dimensions Image 152 x 213 mm, Sheet 170 x 223 mm
Notes An undergraduate walks diagonally across the lawn of quad with a book with the title, "Advice to Freshman" on it while the obese Master stands in the open doorway pointing angrily ad the student walking cross the lawn, the college servant looks over his shoulder with a scowl, and fellow looks out of an open window as the undergraduate leaves a trail of footprints behind.

James Gillray (c.1756-1815), was a British caricaturist and printmaker famous for his etched political and social satires. Born in Chelsea, Gillray studied letter-engraving, and was later admitted to the Royal Academy where he was influenced by the work of Hogarth. His caricature L'Assemblée Nationale (1804) gained huge notoriety when the Prince of Wales paid a large sum of money to have it suppressed and its plate destroyed. Gillray lived with his publisher and print-seller Miss (often called Mrs) Humphrey during the entire period of his fame. Twopenny Whist, a depiction of four individuals playing cards, is widely believed to feature Miss Humphrey as an ageing lady with eyeglasses and a bonnet. One of Gillray's later prints, Very Slippy-Weather, shows Miss Humphrey's shop in St. James's Street in the background. In the shop window a number of Gillray's previously published prints, such as Tiddy-Doll the Great French Gingerbread Maker [...] a satire on Napoleon's king-making proclivities, are shown in the shop window. His last work Interior of a Barber's Shop in Assize Time, from a design by Bunbury, was published in 1811. While he was engaged on it he became mad, although he had occasional intervals of sanity. Gillray died on 1 June 1815, and was buried in St James's churchyard, Piccadilly.

Copy of BM Satires 10640
Framing mounted
Price £175.00
Stock ID 53413

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