James Gillray (1756-1815)
Begging no Robbery;-i.e.- Voluntary Contribution;-or-John Bull escaping a Forced Loan

etching, 37,6 x 27,6 cm

Political satire etching by James Gillray (1756-1815), published in London in 1796 by H. Humphrey with beautiful coeval coloring. Funny British humorous scene, engraved by the greatest author of this genre, who is still today considered the most influential political caricaturist of all time. Every important historical moment in England was transformed by Gillray into a "story" that may seem like a real story in images, a film told in a satirical key, often very strong, with characters, cartoons and "call out": the light (of the Government) chase the darkness (of the opposition)

Detailed description: John Bull seen as a portly farmer, rides through a wood on a miserable horse, which almost succumbs under his weight. On the left in the bushes the sign reads "From Constitution Hill" and "To Slavery Slough by Beggary Corner".
Pitt is on his knees on the ground, and points Bull with an arquebus on which is inscribed "Standing Army": he is disguised as a beggar with tattered clothes and a hat on the ground containing coins received: he turns to Bull saying
"Good lord, for love's sake \" have mercy on a poor ruined man; - ""drop a few coins in the hat if you wish, and you will be rewarded later""
In his pocket he has a pistol and some papers that read ""Forced Loan in Reserve"" and points to a document on the ground in front of him: ""Humble petition, for voluntary subscriptions of contributions and new taxes, to prevent the districts from taking worse courses"".
John Bull drops a few coins as he holds his hat full of guineas, looking at Pitt with melancholy distrust; the white horse, disfigured by the wounds, is evidently the Hanoverian horse. From the bushes behind Pitt emerge the heads of Dundas, Grenville and Burke, each with a gun pointed at John Bull. Dundas, wearing a Highland suit, looks at Pitt thoughtfully instead of his victim, implying that he is his cousin's henchman.

Trimmed proof but with well preserved margins, glued on beige paper."