Maecenas, in pursuit of the Fine Arts.–Scene, Pall Mall; a Frosty Morning 1808

"Maecenas, in pursuit of the Fine Arts" is a satirical hand-colored etching by English artist James Gillray. Created in 1808, the artwork depicts a man in a top hat, cane in hand, attempting to navigate a snowy London street. The title satirizes the wealthy art collector Maecenas by associating him with the trivial pursuit of snowy landscapes. The depiction of the figure in a fashionable yet awkward pose, coupled with the humorously exaggerated features, exemplifies Gillray's distinct caricaturist style. The etching is a commentary on the foibles and excesses of the wealthy elite, a recurring theme in Gillray's work. It is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.