Pylades and Orestes 1797

drawing, print

drawing

imaginative character sketch

aged paper

toned paper

light pencil work

print

personal sketchbook

coloured pencil

19th century

men

watercolour illustration

cartoon carciture

watercolor

"Pylades and Orestes," a hand-colored etching by British artist James Gillray, is a satirical commentary on the relationship between King George III and his Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. The work is a caricature, depicting the two men as the Greek mythological figures of Orestes and his loyal friend Pylades. Gillray, known for his political cartoons, uses exaggerated features and gestures to highlight the power dynamic between the two figures, alluding to the political tensions of the time. This artwork from 1797 is a humorous yet pointed critique of political figures, making it a key example of the genre of political satire.