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Destruction of the French Collossus, pub. 1798 (hand coloured engraving)
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Destruction of the French Collossus, pub. 1798 (hand coloured engraving)
2966821 Destruction of the French Collossus, pub. 1798 (hand coloured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright
Media ID 23261040
© The Stapleton Collection / Bridgeman Images
Blood Bonnet Rouge Britannia Dagger Evil Giant Good Guillotine Liberty Cap Lightning Pistol Propaganda Pyramids Skull French Revolution Serpent Snakes Straddling
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This hand-coloured engraving, titled "Destruction of the French Collossus" takes us back to the tumultuous era of 1798. Created by James Gillray, a renowned English caricaturist, this print is a powerful piece of propaganda that reflects the prevailing sentiments towards France during the French Revolution. The image depicts an array of symbolic elements intertwined with scenes of chaos and violence. At its center stands Britannia, personifying Great Britain's strength and defiance against revolutionary France. She straddles a colossal figure representing France, which has been dismembered and decapitated - a clear metaphor for the destruction of French power. Surrounding Britannia are various symbols: a pistol symbolizing aggression; snakes representing evil and treachery; lightning bolts signifying divine retribution; crosses alluding to religious conflict; pyramids referencing Napoleon's campaign in Egypt; daggers symbolizing assassination plots; and even Louis XVI's head as a reminder of regicide. Amidst this chaotic scene, there are also symbols associated with liberty and goodness – such as the Bible and Liberty cap – suggesting that Britain sees itself as fighting for noble ideals against an oppressive regime. Gillray masterfully combines these elements into a detailed yet grotesque cartoonish composition. The meticulous hand-colouring adds depth to each element while enhancing their impact on viewers. This print serves as both historical documentation and political commentary on one of Europe's most significant periods. It exemplifies how art can be
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