Gillray (James) Engraving, 1849

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Summary

Title:

James Gillray engraving

Dates:

1849

Creators:

Gillray, James

Abstract:

This collection comprises a single 1849 engraving by James Gillray, entitled "Modern grace, or the operatical finale to the ballet of Alonzo e caro," with contemporary coloring (London: Bohl) made with original plates from the 1796 printing.

Extent:

0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language:

Collection materials are in English.

Preferred citation:

James Gillray Engraving. MS-P058. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection comprises a single 1849 engraving by James Gillray, titled "Modern grace, or the operatical finale to the ballet of Alonzo e caro," with contemporary coloring (London: Bohl) made with original plates from the 1796 printing. The Bohm 1849 edition, from which this engraving is taken, collects and reprints all of Gillray's prints from original plates. The print shows Charles Didelot dancing between two women, both lightly clad in quasi-classical costumes. One of the women, Mademoiselle Parisot, dances with a breast bare -- this appears to be the reason for the satirical print to have been published. The ballet was by Onorati from "Les Incas" by Marmontel, and it went through six performances at the Royal Opera House beginning on 6 April 1796. The dancing of Didelot and his wife caused a sensation both for its brilliance and for its risque costuming. The verso of this engraving contains another engraving, also by Gillray, entitled A Peep at Christies, or Tally-ho & his Nimeney-Pimmeney taking the Morning Lounge. This engraving is not colored.

Biographical / historical:

James Gillray, born in 1757, was an English caricaturist artist known for his satirical political and social etchings. His political satires feature such figures as George III and Napoleon and many of his caricatures commented on the French Revolution. He is thought to be one of the greatest English satirical artists and his style continues to influence political caricatures today. He died in 1815.

Acquisition information:

Purchased in 2003.

Processing information:

Processed by Zoe MacLeod, 2012.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Bibliography:

For further information, see

Robert Harding Evans and Thomas Wright. <em>Historical and descriptive account of the caricatures of James Gillray: comprising a political and humorous history of the latter part of the reign of George the Third.</em> (London: G. H. Bohn, 1815).

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Dance -- France
Ballet dancers -- 19th century -- Pictorial works
Ballet -- History -- 19th century -- Sources.
Dance -- Archives
Ballet dancers in art -- 19th century
Engravings -- Color.
Names:: Didelot, Charles Louis

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:: Zoe MacLeod
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2020-08-12 17:00:57 UTC .

Access and use

Restrictions:: The collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: Property rights reside with the University of California. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.