The Wounded Lion 1805

"The Wounded Lion" (1805) is a political cartoon by British artist James Gillray, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The print uses satire to criticize King George III and his leadership during the Napoleonic Wars. The king is depicted as a wounded lion, surrounded by animals representing his enemies, including a monkey representing France and a snake representing the opposition party. The work demonstrates Gillray's signature style of caricature, utilizing exaggerated features and symbolic imagery to comment on contemporary political events.