This plate shows the drawn qualities of the technique of etching. James Gillray (1756–1815) – one of Britain’s foremost caricaturists – even wrote the words in the speech bubbles (in mirror writing). The diagonal text has been line-engraved and shows the difference between the two techniques, being more precise. Etching was a perfect medium for creating caricatures, which had to be made quickly as they were topical, reflecting the day’s news. The subject of this image is Lady Worsley, who in November 1781 had eloped with a Captain George Bissett, who was then sued by her husband Sir Richard Worsley. Some of Lady Worsley’s 27 lovers testified in the court case.
The plate is double-sided, with an earlier caricature featuring on the back just about visible, revealing the thrift of the artist. Being topical, these images would not have been printed for long and copper plates were the most expensive part of an etcher’s outlay.