"Oh! that this too too solid flesh would melt." c. 1791

"Oh! that this too too solid flesh would melt" is a satirical hand-colored etching by British artist James Gillray, created in 1791. The print depicts a couple, likely caricatures of real people, in an exaggerated, grotesque pose. Gillray's use of caricature and biting humor made him famous for his political and social commentary, and this artwork is a great example of his style. The quote in the title comes from Shakespeare's *Hamlet*. It's a clever play on words as the couple's physical features are the subject of the artist's satirical commentary. You can view this work in the Art Institute of Chicago's collection.