The two history talks I gave were about these two Georgian period artists … Francis Wheatley (1747 – 1801) and James Gillray (1756 – 1815) …
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| Francis Wheatley |
We're learning something of the Georgian era (George I to George IV: 1714 - 1830) … which included the sub-period that is the Regency era (when George IV as Prince of Wales was regent during the illness of George III).
Some members of the group opt to give talks on different subjects - I'm usually the one that tends to break the mould … choosing something interests that me, rather than a subject suggested.
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| Chair Mender |
Wheatley (1747 - 1801) was an English portrait and landscape painter, who was brought up in and around Covent Garden … where the poor would hawk their wares …
He had an eventful career when his low point came in 1789 he was elected to the Royal Academy in preference to the King's nominee … that was that – he never secured another commission from the aristocracy.
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| Preparing for market |
His career unravelled … yet in the middle of all the turmoil he had created these 'Cries of London', which were exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1792 and 1795 …
It is thought that his third wife, who became, after his death, Clara Maria Pope, was his model for the female hawkers shown in these paintings. There's a ginger and white terrier that often occurs throughout the series.
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| Sweet Oranges |
Various engravers of the time brought these 'Cries of London' to the public's attention – which have ever since remained in the nation's heart …
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| The ballad seller |
… and prevail as part of our historical culture … featuring on chocolate boxes, biscuit tins and prints often found hanging in the houses of elderly relatives and the seaside hotels of our British childhoods.
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| James Gillray |
Next came James Gillray … a caricaturist and printmaker famous for his etched political and social satires, mostly published between 1792 – 1810.
He's been called “the father of the political cartoon” … and who, along with Hogarth, became the two most influential cartoonists of the era.
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| L'Assemblee Nationale (1804) - was called "the most talented caricature that has ever appeared" partly due to its admirable likenesses. The Prince of Wales paid a large sum of money for it to be suppressed and its plate destroyed. |
Gillray's targets were the great and the good, not excepting royalty. But his vision is often dark, his wit frequently cruel and even shockingly bawdy: some of his own contemporaries found his work repellent.
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| John Bull raising Napoleon's head just after landing in England (1803) |
He changed his art from embracing the French Revolution to being no longer hostile to King George III … creating John Bull, defending the realm from the French and Napoleon …
The other particularly noteworthy aspect about Gillray - was that he was a skilful writer, taking great pains over the text that accompanied his works …
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| 'Dublures' of Characters (1798) |
For further reference – should anyone wish to read my talks … I'd be happy to send them to you (they're not long) … together with a list of slides that illustrated both talks.
Spitalfields Life – has further details on Francis Wheatley and his 'Cries of London' together with relevant art works …
There will be various reviews of Alice Loxton's book and articles about James Gillray on the net …. Wikipedia has plenty of Gillray's cartoons.
I will get back to 'Our English Language' … I have lots of books to read first … but posts will occur!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
23 comments:
I was aware of Hogarth's work but not so Gillray's. I enlarged the picture you included and found it really amusing - I fully understand why some of the characters depicted would not have been too impressed!
Thank you so very much for continuing my education. I would LOVE to read your talks, and appreciate your generosity in offering to send them on.
I had heard of both artists but was more familiar with Gillray. Caricaturists/cartoonists are often savage in their depictions.
Hari OM
Neither was known to me - most likely because not of my taste or area of interest. Nonetheless, I appreciated reading about them! YAM xx
How very interesting. You may take a tangent to the topic, but I'm sure your talks bring something out that might get missed had you not been part of the group.
Interesting, didn’t know about them before.
That kind of talent leaves me in awe.
Love it!! Wheatley's full-length portraits, landscapes and history paintings were terrific, and his Cries of London with very popular with the ordinary art buyers i.e not the mega wealthy. Thankfully they were scenes that were not ancient, obscure or unrecognisable.
@ Keith - thanks ... Gillray was very influential back then and still to this day influences cartoonists. Just incredible art - I gather the plate wasn't destroyed ... and is the British Museum (I think).
@ EC - I'll send them on to you ... thanks for the interest - they're not long, but give an overall picture of their lives.
@ Janice - that's great you knew about Gillray - and yes you're right, as now ... caricaturists/ cartoonists are often savage in their depictions.
@ Yam - I guess being brought up here - they, over time, come to the fore ... I didn't know their backstory ... so it was interesting learning about them. Glad you enjoyed the post ...
@ Liz - I just select things others perhaps tend not to immediately think about ... just me - I do conform at other times! Yes, people have been complementary about the talks ...
@ Anabel - great ... at least the names will mean something should you come across them again ...
@ Sandra - I know - and it was more than 200 years ago - seems even more extraordinary ...
@ Hels - oh excellent you've come across his prints and art - a talented man. As you say the scenes were commonplace to locals, especially Londoners ...
Cheers - our clocks go forward ... but I'll be glad when the sharp showers stay away! While I'm happy to be back and more with it - enjoy your weekends and thanks for your visits. Hilary
I am a little pressed for time right now, Hilary, so I will come back to this when I can do it justice. i would love ro see your talks, however, so when you have a chance, please send them to me. A bientôt. David
I have seen Wheatley's work. I like artists that depict common life, rather like today's photographers. We learn a lot of history from artists of the past. Gilray sounds interesting - again political cartoons back in the day are worth studying - depicting nuances of the times in a sharp fashion. I am sure your talk was quite good and kept everyone's interest. Thanks for sharing here. Have a good weekend!
You do come up with interesting topics to challenge us, Hilary, and stimulate us to go beyond our usual sphere of interest. I knew nothing of the topics you cover here and I have learned a lot - and there is no doubt more. It's interesting to see these glimpses into satire and how it was handled "back in the day." The biting quality of the political cartoon continues to this day and I hope it always will, although there are thin-skinned politicians who would like to suppress it. All the best - David
These are gorgeous paintings by Wheatley, so realistic and emotional. I'm not that into caricatures--like Gillray--but do appreciate the talent required.
I can't get my WP to tell me when you post an article. It doesn't even show in my feed anymore! Maybe it's that update I haven't done. Sigh.
Interesting to know
@ David - thanks ... no worries and I've only just got round to sending ... but thank you for the next comment too. Well I just like to learn myself and the only way I can do it - is to post here so it's recorded, rather like exam revision notes.
It's been an interesting subject to cover and I've just found another fascinating site on the produce available in Georgian London ... so may do another talk on that.
Yes I wonder how our politicians will be portrayed in the future ... we're starting to find out now ...
@ Jacqui - just interesting subjects and so well executed ... I must read Alice Loxton's book ... and I'll learn lots more I expect.
Sorry about the lack of following - I've rather given up and hope to catch up with people as I go along ... some I know I miss ... but time is another aspect. I must set up an email list I think ...
@ Ashok - thanks for reading ...
Cheers to you all - delighted to have your comments - here's to Spring and longer daylight (for us as of tomorrow) ... Hilary
Thanks for this post about art and history. You always find such interesting things to post. For an Anglophile like me.
Two very different artists with interesting lives and work! Thanks for sharing their stories with us, Hilary!
There is so much detail in Chair Mender and Preparing for Market. Wow.
Hurray for breaking the mold! And talent is here for sure. I enjoy "Preparing for the Market" the most. And there's the little dog you mentioned. :)
I love seeing historical paintings on boxes and tins;0)
@ Inger - thanks ... I know you love your English history and culture - it's a delight to see you here ...
@ Elizabeth - yes ... very different artists - yet over two hundred years on they're still at the forefront of our culture - so often referred to.
@ Sandra - they were extremely talented ... and yes still appearing on boxes of chocolates and tins of biscuits etc ...
@ Rosey - the art work is so clever and indicative of the era - and yes I conform .. but often take a different standpoint - opens people's eyes.
Thanks so much for visiting ... a new post shortly - cheers Hilary
How interesting! There is so much in history that we don't know.
Thanks Pradeep - you're so right ... so much we don't know what happened in the past - great to see you - cheers Hilary
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