Metallic Tractors 1803

"Metallic Tractors" (1803) is a satirical hand-colored etching by English caricaturist James Gillray. The print depicts a man receiving a bogus medical treatment from a quack doctor who is using "metallic tractors" to relieve his ailments. Gillray's work was known for its sharp wit and often targeted political figures and social trends. This print is a prime example of his use of humor and exaggeration to expose the absurdity of medical quackery in the early 19th century. The print's composition is dynamic, and the exaggerated features of the figures and the depiction of the "metallic tractors" create a humorous and memorable image. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this satirical artwork as a reminder of Gillray's important role in the history of British caricature.