James Gillray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Gillray
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James Gillray
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| Born | 13 August 1756 or 1757 Chelsea, London, England, United Kingdom
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| Died | 1 June 1815 (aged 57 or 58) London, England, United Kingdom
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| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Caricaturist, printmaker |
James Gillray (born 13 August 1756 or 1757 – died 1 June 1815) was a famous British artist. He was known for making funny pictures called caricatures and prints. His works often made fun of politics and society. Most of his famous works were published between 1792 and 1810.
Many people call Gillray "the father of the political cartoon". His drawings often made fun of important people like King George III, prime ministers, and generals. Gillray was very clever and had a great sense of humor. This made him one of the most important cartoonists of his time.
About James Gillray
James Gillray was born in Chelsea, a part of London. His father was a soldier who lost an arm in a battle. James first learned how to engrave letters. This means carving designs or words onto metal plates.
He soon became very good at it. But he found this work boring. So, he joined a group of traveling actors for a while. After many different experiences, he came back to London. He then became a student at the Royal Academy, a famous art school. He earned money by engraving and likely made many funny drawings under different names.
Gillray's funny drawings are usually put into two groups: political and social. His works were popular not just in Britain, but all over Europe. They had a big impact on people's opinions both at home and abroad.
During the French Revolution, Gillray supported the traditional ways. He made many drawings that poked fun at the French people and their leader, Napoleon. He often showed the British people as "John Bull", a symbol of Britain. Some of these drawings were printed in a magazine called the Anti-Jacobin Review. He also made many sharp and funny drawings about King George III.
Gillray's eyesight started to get worse around 1806. He made his last print in September 1809. His very last drawing was called Interior of a Barber's Shop in Assize Time. It was finished in 1811.
James Gillray struggled with his health during his later years. He was cared for by Hannah Humphrey until he passed away on 1 June 1815 in London. He was buried in a churchyard in Piccadilly.
Images for kids
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Very Slippy-Weather (1808)
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L'Assemblée Nationale (1804) was called a very clever drawing. It showed famous people with "admirable likenesses". The Prince of Wales paid a lot of money to stop it from being printed and to destroy the plate.
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The Reception of the Diplomatique (Macartney) and his Suite, at the Court of Pekin. Published in September 1792.
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Monstrous Craws, at a New Coalition Feast (1787)
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A Voluptuary under the Horrors of Digestion (1792)
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Temperance Enjoying a Frugal Meal (1792)
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The Cow-Pock—or—the Wonderful Effects of the New Inoculation! (1802). This drawing was made after the first vaccine was given by Edward Jenner. Gillray's drawing made fun of people's fear that getting vaccinated for smallpox would make them grow cow-like parts.
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"Maniac-raving's-or-Little Boney in a strong fit". Gillray's funny drawings about Napoleon made the French leader very angry. He wanted the British government to stop them.
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Flemish Characters (1793), published by G. Humphrey, 27 St James's Street, 1 January 1822
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Flemish Characters, published by G. Humphrey, 27 St James's Street, 1 January 1822
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See also
In Spanish: James Gillray para niños
