Cymon and Iphigenia 1796

James Gillray's 1796 satirical watercolor "Cymon and Iphigenia" depicts a caricatured scene from the story of Cymon and Iphigenia, a popular tale by the English poet Edmund Spenser. The work is a prime example of Gillray's signature style of political and social commentary through exaggerated and humorous depictions. The artwork, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features the title characters, a bumbling Cymon and an overly dramatic Iphigenia, evoking a sense of ridicule and amusement in the viewer. This caricature is a testament to Gillray's mastery of satire and his ability to use art to spark social commentary.