English Caricature: English Artists
George Cruikshank (1792-1878)
George Cruikshank was taught the art of caricature by his father, Isaac Cruikshank who passed away when George was a teenager. Assuming his father’s work, Cruikshank quickly became a favorite satirist and illustrator in Great Britain, creating over 15,000 drawings in his prolific career. He illustrated many of Charles Dicken’s books and published his own George Cruikshank’s Magazine. Early in his career he withdrew from political satire, instead focusing his efforts upon the dramatic social scenes of the day. By the end of the 1840′s, Cruikshank was firmly involved in the temperance movement, and he extolled that theme frequently in his artwork.
The Cholic_G. Cruikshank – Pubd Feby. 12 1819 by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s St. (10 1/2″h x 13″w)
Head ache _ G. Cruikshank fect.- Pubd. Feby 12th 1819 by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s St. (8″h x 10″w)
[Mixing a Recipe for Corns, G. Cruikshank], London, Pubd by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s St March 31st, 1819. (7 3/4″h x 9 3/4″w)
The Blue Devils_!! G. Cruikshank fect. Pubd. by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s St, London. Jany 10th 1823. (8 3/4″h x 10 3/4″w)
The Blue Devils_!! G. Cruikshank fect. Pubd by Thos. McLean 26 Haymarket, Aug. 1, 1835. (9 7/8″h x 12 1/8″w)
A curious Junta of Slandering Elves – or -List’ners seldom hear good of themselves. E H L del. G. Cruickshank Sculpt. Pubd By Thos. McLean, 26 Haymarket, Aug_1835. (9″h x 13″w)
Jealousy. A Crowquill Esq. Invt. G. Cruikshank fect. Pubd. Aug. 1st 1835 by Thos. McLean, 26 Haymarket. (9 1/4″h x 11 1/4″w)
Indigestion. A Crowquill Esq. delt. Etched by G. Ck. Pubd. Aug 1st 1835 by Thos. McLean 26 Haymarket. (9″h x 11 1/4″w)
James Gillray (1757-1815)
James Gillray was one of the leading English caricaturists in the late eighteenth century. He was among the first satirists to exaggerate facial features while retaining the subject’s likeness. His work concentrated heavily on political satire, with his strongest attacks aimed against Napoleon. After 1791 Hannah Humphrey exclusively published Gillray’s prints, propelling her domination of the print selling business in London. By 1806 Gillray’s eyesight was failing, and unable to meet his expectations he began drinking heavily. Severe depression led to attempted suicide in 1811. Humphrey cared for him until his death on June 1, 1815.
“Miss, I have a Monstrous Crow to pluck with you!!” Pubd. Novr. 1st. 1794, H. Humphrey No. 57 New Bond Street. (5 1/4″h x 6 1/2″w)
Punch cures the Gout, the Colic, and the ’Tisick, Pubd. July 13th, 1799 by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s Street. (10″h x 13 1/2″w)
Taking PHYSICK, Publish’d Feby. 6th, 1800, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s Street, London. (11 1/4″h x 8 3/8″w)
COMFORT to the CORNS – Js Gillray invt and fect. Pubd Feby. 6th. 1800. by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s Street. (10 1/2″h x 8″w)
Metallic-Tractors. J. Gillray Invt. & fect. London. Published Nov 11, 1801, by H. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s Street. (11 1/4″h x 14 1/4″w)
Gentle EMETIC, Publish’d Jany 26th, 1804, by H. Humphrey St. James’s Street. (10 1/4″h x 8″w)
Breathing a vein. Publish’d. Jany 28th, 1804, by H. Humphrey St. James’s Street, London. (10 1/4″h x 8″w)
“___and would’st thou turn the vile Reproach on me?”, J.Cd. Eg. del’ Js.Gy. fect London, Publish’d Feby 2d 1807 by H. Humphrey 27 St. James’s Street. (9 1/4″h x 13 1/4″w)
Charles Jameson Grant
Charles Jameson Grant, along with William and Henry Heath, was a principle competitor to Cruikshank. He was a Radical artist who aimed his work at a lower class of patrons. He often sensationalized his subject matter.
Extraordinary Effects of Morrisons Vegetable Pills, C J G Invent & Del Grants Oddities No 1, London Pub by J. Kendrick, 54 Leicester Sq (12 5/8″h x 9 7/8″w)
William Heath (1795-1840)
William Heath became a well-known caricaturist in the mid-1800s. He commonly signed his work with a tiny figure of Paul Pry. He also created the Glasgow, and later the Northern Looking Glass, the first caricature magazines. Little is known about his early life.
Blessing of Cheap Cider, Wm. Heath, Pub March 20 1830 by, T. McLean, 26 Haymarket. (14 1/8″h x 9 3/4″w)
D_n it Sir, I wish you would blow your NOSE_. William Heath. Pub. May 12-1830 by T. McLean, 26 Haymarket,. Sole Publisher of W. Heath Etching. (15 3/8″h x 10″w)
Henry Heath (floruit 1824-1828)
Critics of Henry Heath describe him as untalented and find his works more crudely drawn and colored than Gillray and Cruikshank. His caricatures focused heavily on domestic politics, primarily at the government of Wellington and Peel, and rarely on international issues.
EXPOSTULATION. H. Heath fect. Published 1830 by S. Gans, Southampton Street, Spendleshanks, delt. (16″h x 10 3/4″w)
Theodore Lane (1800-1828)
In the early nineteenth century, Theodore Lane was a rising star in the art world. His paintings and caricatures met with approval from the public and artists alike. His series of seventy legal illustrations applied legal terms to a fashionable and convivial life. He also designed and etched drawings for a book, Life of an Actor, Peregrine Proteus, by Pierce Egan. He met an untimely death on May 21, 1828 when he accidentally fell through an unguarded skylight to the flag pavement below.
Moments of Pain. [Atributed to Theodore Lane] Pubd by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James’s [1820] (12 1/2″h x 8 1/2″w)
Anonymous
Very Ill! London Published by J. L. Marks, 27 Artillery Street Bishopsgate, No.11. (7 7/8″h x 7 1/4″w)
Animals Friend Society – no printers marks. (10 1/2″h x 16″ w)
Paying in Kind, Pubd. May 12, 1823 by G. Humphrey, 24 St. James’s Street & 74 New Bond Street, W.H. Del & Sculpt. [possible artist, William Heath] (8″h x 10 3/4″w)
Faith, Pubd. Dec. 6th 1829 by S. Gans Southhampton Street. (10″h x 4 3/4″w)
A Cure for a Cold, Published by G. Tregear, 123 Cheapside London 1833 (12 1/2″h x 10″w)