Print du Jour

This delightful caricature seemed an apt choice as temperatures plunge, the mornings frost over and we see snow fall across Britain.  Lets hope we all manage to keep our balance!

In addition to this seasonal etching we have a range of satirical prints for sale in the gallery. Caricatures offer an interesting and humorous insight into the socio-historical trends of the day and can depict subjects ranging from current political opinion to the latest fashions.




Skaiting - Dandies, Shewing Off
Charles Williams
Etching with hand colouring
Pub.d by Tho.s Tegg, 111 Cheapside London. c.1818
Image 220 x 329 mm


Plate numbered 332 in top right corner.

Ladies stand on a snow-covered bank in the middle distance watching the skaters. In the foreground are four skaters in absurd positions. A dandy lies on his back, trying to ward off with one leg another who reels backward striking him on the chin with the point of his skate; the former says: "What are you at there! you'll put my wig out of Buckle." The other exclaims: "O Lord! how they are laughing at us!" A third dandy has collided with a fat man whom he clasps round the waist; both are about to fall heavily on the prostrate skater. He says: "Pon honor Sir I beg pardon! you must thank the Ladies!" Men in the distance skate with ease; some play (?) hockey with sticks and a cork.
(Description from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', IX, 1949)

BM Satires 13074