Hertogin van York en de Prins van Wales dansen een menuet, 1791 Possibly 1791

James Gillray created this hand-colored etching in 1791. The artist has deployed the traditional printmaking processes of etching and engraving to create a caricature of the Duke and Duchess of York dancing. Notice the crisp lines and the subtly modulated colors, achieved through careful application by hand. The medium itself speaks to a society where political commentary was becoming increasingly democratized through print culture. Gillray's critical portrayal relies on the skilled labor of artisans, who reproduced his designs for mass consumption. The image is a product of the burgeoning market economy, where satire and social critique could be commodities. This artwork exemplifies how printmaking could challenge social hierarchies, blurring the lines between fine art and popular expression. By understanding the means of production, we gain insight into the artwork's cultural significance.