Fishing for Flats Possibly 1806

Charles Williams' print, *Fishing for Flats*, presents us with an image awash in socio-political satire. The composition hinges on a forceful diagonal line drawn from the lower left, where a group of men strain, towards the bulging net in the upper right. The rough cross-hatching that renders the sky and sea adds a turbulent tension to the scene, while the cluster of trapped faces in the net introduces a darker tone. “Peace within a Fortnight” reads the banner wrapped around the haul. The artist’s employment of caricature isn't just a stylistic choice, it’s a tool to destabilize established values. Through exaggeration and distortion, Williams challenges the viewer to reconsider the motivations and machinations behind political promises. The heavy reliance on line and text function semiotically, directing the viewer to decode the structures of power at play. This print underscores how aesthetic choices are not merely decorative but are integral to the artwork's critical project.