Palemon and Lavinia Possibly 1805

"Palemon and Lavinia" is a satirical hand-colored etching created by the English artist James Gillray in 1805. It depicts a man, presumably Palemon, with a pitchfork in his hand, staring at Lavinia, a woman who is hiding her face behind a fence. The scene is set in a rural landscape, suggesting a critique of the social conventions of the time, perhaps through the use of caricature to represent the flaws of the human condition. Gillray's works were known for their biting wit and political commentary. This piece, currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to his sharp observations of society, using humor to expose the often-hidden truths.