Cockney and His Wife Going to Wycombe Possibly 1805

This hand-colored etching was made by James Gillray, a London-based printmaker, probably in the late 18th or early 19th century. It's made using a printmaking technique called etching. This involves coating a metal plate with a waxy ground, scratching an image into the ground with a needle, and then bathing the plate in acid. This bites the image into the metal, which can then be inked and printed. Gillray was a master of this process, and the fine lines and textures of this print demonstrate his skill. Notice, for instance, the contrast between the smooth, polished surfaces of the carriage and the rough, textured fur of the horse and dog. These choices would have been labor-intensive. The subject matter is important, too. Gillray was known for his satirical prints, which often poked fun at the wealthy and powerful. Here, the artist seems to be commenting on the aspirations of the emerging middle class. Prints like this were relatively inexpensive and could be widely distributed, bringing art to a broader audience. This challenges the traditional hierarchy of art and craft.