Not currently on display at the V&A

James Gillray : The Suppressed Plates

Print
1794-1807 (first published), ca. 1850 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Two plates from an album containing 45 numbered prints on wove paper, the majority printed two per page, recto only. Numbered 44 and 45 respectively, number 44 depicts a mother and daughter, facing each other in profile across a table. The mother is seated and is swarthy to the point of having a beard. She points in an accusatory manner at the younger woman, who appears to be pregnant and stands warily, holding a fan. Under the table sits a large crow exclaiming 'Oh too bad', with one foot raised, looking back at the older woman as if waiting for a command. Lettered with title and the original publisher's name and address.

The second print on the same page is entitled 'And Would'st Thou Turn the Vile Reproach on Me?' and depicts a disfigured man with a long snout-like face, seated in a chair, eagerly addressing a forlorn pregnant woman. Behind them is a bare fireplace and two pictures on the wall, one depicting a cock and hen squaring up to one another, and the second depicting an emaciated horse. Lettered with title, artist's initials, and the original publisher's name and address.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • James Gillray : The Suppressed Plates (popular title)
  • Miss, I Have a Monstrous Crow to Pluck with You!! (assigned by artist)
  • And Would'st Thou Turn the Vile Reproach on Me? (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Engravings on wove paper
Brief description
Two plates from an album of 40 'suppressed' caricatures featuring sexual, scatalogical and politically outrageous subject matter by James Gillray (1756-1815). Issued mid-19th century.
Physical description
Two plates from an album containing 45 numbered prints on wove paper, the majority printed two per page, recto only. Numbered 44 and 45 respectively, number 44 depicts a mother and daughter, facing each other in profile across a table. The mother is seated and is swarthy to the point of having a beard. She points in an accusatory manner at the younger woman, who appears to be pregnant and stands warily, holding a fan. Under the table sits a large crow exclaiming 'Oh too bad', with one foot raised, looking back at the older woman as if waiting for a command. Lettered with title and the original publisher's name and address.

The second print on the same page is entitled 'And Would'st Thou Turn the Vile Reproach on Me?' and depicts a disfigured man with a long snout-like face, seated in a chair, eagerly addressing a forlorn pregnant woman. Behind them is a bare fireplace and two pictures on the wall, one depicting a cock and hen squaring up to one another, and the second depicting an emaciated horse. Lettered with title, artist's initials, and the original publisher's name and address.
Dimensions
  • Height: 63.5cm
  • Sheet width: 48.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Pubd Nov 1st 1794 by H Humphrey,No. 37 New Bond Street (Lettered underneath plate 44)
  • London Publishd Feby 22nd 1807 by H Humphrey, 27 St James's Street (Lettered above plate 45)
Credit line
Gift from the Ministry of Justice
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
E.685:25-2014

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Record createdOctober 27, 2014
Record URL
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