"Two Pair of Portraits" presented to all the unbiased Electors of Great Britain" by John Horne Tooke 1798

James Gillray created this print, "Two Pair of Portraits," as political satire. The artwork captures the tumultuous political climate of late 18th-century Britain, a period marked by intense rivalry between political figures. Gillray presents us with an artist, purportedly John Horne Tooke, caught between two sets of portraits. These represent opposing political factions: the 'Pittites' and the 'Foxites,' followers of William Pitt the Younger and Charles James Fox, respectively. The inscription "Which two of them will you chuse to hang up in your Cabinets—the Pitts or the Foxes—Where on your Conscience—should the other two be hanged?" encapsulates the stark choices facing the electorate. The print reflects the deeply polarized society, where political allegiance often determined one's social standing and opportunities. Gillray's caricature taps into this emotional tension. It asks the viewer to reflect on their political allegiances, and the consequences of those choices. This satire not only captured a moment in British history but also speaks to the enduring nature of political division.