Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 13 works by James Gillray in our catalogue
In short
The Plum-Pudding in Danger (1805) is the James Gillray painting that draws the most eyes; the original belongs to the British Museum, London. After it, the eye goes to The Zenith of French Glory (1793) and Long Live the Constitution, One and In(di)visible (1800). Among the 13 works of James Gillray in our catalog, these 12 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.
To gaze upon this scene is to be invited across the threshold of a bygone era, into the warm glow of an intimate gathering. The Plum-Pudding in Danger presents us with a tableau vivant centered around a magnificent, yielding dessert—a plum pudding, rich with tradition and promise. The composition immediately draws the eye to the table, which serves as both stage and centerpiece for this shared moment of culinary delight.…
The air of 1793 carries a heavy, unsettling weight as we encounter "The Zenith of French Glory; – The Pinnacle of Liberty." This etching, released on February 12, 1793, captures a moment of profound political turbulence. James Gillray, the artist behind this biting work, uses his sharp wit to confront the chaos of the French Revolution. The print functions as a searing indictment of the revolution and its leadership, stripping…
We are looking at Long Live the Constitution, One and In(di)visible, a work produced by James Gillray. This piece dates to about 1800, a period when the artist was deeply engaged in the political and social shifts of the era. It is a black and white etching, a medium that allows for a particular kind of precision in its linework and tonal depth.
Sin, Death and the Devil is an etching created by the artist James Gillray in 1792. This work functions as a satirical commentary on the political landscape of late eighteenth-century Britain. The print focuses on the power struggle between Prime Minister William Pitt and Lord Chancellor Edward Thurlow. Through the use of allegory, the artist depicts these political figures within a narrative framework.
The scene unfolds through a biting etching titled The Blood of the Murdered Crying for Vengeance. Created by the artist James Gillray, this work emerges from the turbulent atmosphere of about 1793. It captures a moment of intense social and political friction, frozen in the sharp, dramatic lines of the engraver's hand. The print carries a formal dedication, directed toward the Right Honourable the Earl of Chatham. In a gesture…
Dublures of Characters is an etching by the English caricaturist James Gillray. Produced about 1798, the work was published by John Wright for the Anti-Jacobin Review and Magazine. Unlike many of Gillray's prints from this period, which were distributed through the shop of Hannah Humphrey, this specific piece emerged through a different publishing channel.
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by James Gillray | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 British Museum |
London | 2 | The Plum-Pudding in Danger, The Zenith of French Glory |
 Bibliothèque nationale de France |
Paris | 1 | Long Live the Constitution, One and In(di)visible |
14 years separate James Gillray's first and last dated originals shown here, 1792 and 1805: each year has its place below.
Pick a year to see its originals.
Sin, Death and the Devil is an etching created by the artist James Gillray in 1792. This work functions as a satirical commentary on the political landscape of late eighteenth-century Britain. The print focuses on the power struggle between Prime Minister William Pitt and Lord Chancellor Edward Thurlow. Through the use of allegory, the artist depicts these political figures within a narrative framework.
The air of 1793 carries a heavy, unsettling weight as we encounter "The Zenith of French Glory; – The Pinnacle of Liberty." This etching, released on February 12, 1793, captures a moment of profound political turbulence. James Gillray, the artist behind this biting work, uses his sharp wit to confront the chaos of the French Revolution. The print functions as a searing indictment of the revolution and its leadership, stripping…
More from 1793
Dublures of Characters is an etching by the English caricaturist James Gillray. Produced about 1798, the work was published by John Wright for the Anti-Jacobin Review and Magazine. Unlike many of Gillray's prints from this period, which were distributed through the shop of Hannah Humphrey, this specific piece emerged through a different publishing channel.
We are looking at Long Live the Constitution, One and In(di)visible, a work produced by James Gillray. This piece dates to about 1800, a period when the artist was deeply engaged in the political and social shifts of the era. It is a black and white etching, a medium that allows for a particular kind of precision in its linework and tonal depth.
To gaze upon this scene is to be invited across the threshold of a bygone era, into the warm glow of an intimate gathering. The Plum-Pudding in Danger presents us with a tableau vivant centered around a magnificent, yielding dessert—a plum pudding, rich with tradition and promise. The composition immediately draws the eye to the table, which serves as both stage and centerpiece for this shared moment of culinary delight.…
The Plum-Pudding in Danger (1805), British Museum, London. The Zenith of French Glory (1793) and Long Live the Constitution, One and In(di)visible (1800) come next.
49 years old: The Plum-Pudding in Danger dates from 1805, and James Gillray was born in 1756.
The Plum-Pudding in Danger, The Zenith of French Glory, Long Live the Constitution, One and In(di)visible, Sin, Death and the Devil, The Blood of the Murdered Crying for Vengeance, Dublures of Characters, Short bodied gillray fashion caricature, The whore's last shift, Light expelling darkness and A group of French savants huddle together at the top. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 13 works by James Gillray, dated from 1792 to 1805.
Mostly in British Museum (London) and Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1793: 2 of the 12 works on this page were made then, The Zenith of French Glory among them.
On this page, the earliest is Sin, Death and the Devil (1792) and the latest The Plum-Pudding in Danger (1805).
People (3), Guillotine (2) and Figures (2), across the 12 works on this page.
Etching, for 5 of the 12 works on this page.
The Plum-Pudding in Danger and The Zenith of French Glory: the British Museum, London holds 2 of the works on this page.
In the vibrant and often turbulent landscape of late eighteenth-century Britain, few figures wielded as much satirical power as James Gillray. Often hailed as the "father of the political cartoon," Gillray possessed a singular ability to capture the anxieties, follies, and grand ambitions of his era through the medium of etching. Born in Chelsea, United Kingdom, he emerged from a background of meticulous craftsmanship, having first mastered the art of letter-engraving. This foundational skill in precise linework would later become the backbone of his legendary career, allowing him to translate complex political maneuvers into biting, visually arresting caricatures that resonated deeply with the public consciousness.
His artistic development was profoundly shaped by the works of William Hogarth, whose influence provided a blueprint for using art as a vehicle for social commentary. However, Gillray moved beyond mere observation, injecting his work with an unprecedented level of inventiveness and a keen sense of the ludicrous. His output, primarily published between 1792 and 1810, became a vital part of the British visual lexicon. Through his etchings—and occasionally utilizing aquatint and stipple techniques—he created a world where historical figures like Napoleon, George III, and various prime ministers were stripped of their dignity and recast as characters in a grand, often grotesque, theatrical drama.
The brilliance of Gillray’s work lies in the seamless marriage of technical execution and narrative depth. While his subject matter was often topical and ephemeral, his mastery of the etching process ensured a lasting impact. His prints are characterized by intricate details and bold lines, capable of conveying both immense physical detail and profound emotional intensity. Whether he was employing a stark black and white palette to reflect the grim realities of war or using subtle tonal variations to capture the warmth of a domestic scene, his technical versatility allowed him to manipulate the viewer's mood with surgical precision.
His approach to composition often utilized dramatic focal points to drive home his critiques. In works such as "The Zenith of French Glory," he used symbolic imagery—such as skeletal soldiers and grim metaphors—to voice a searing indictment of the French Revolution. Conversely, in pieces like "The Plum-Pudding in Danger," he demonstrated an ability to capture the quiet drama of conviviality and the material reality of Regency life. This duality—the ability to be both a ferocious political attacker and a nuanced observer of social ritual—is what elevated his work from mere caricature to high art.
The historical significance of James Gillray cannot be overstated. He did not merely record history; he helped shape the perception of it. His prints served as a mirror to the British psyche, reflecting the fears of revolution, the tensions of international conflict, and the shifting social hierarchies of the age. The enduring power of his imagery is evidenced by the fact that many of his most famous works are preserved in prestigious institutions like the National Portrait Gallery in London and Tate Britain.
Beyond his immediate era, Gillray’s influence persists in the very DNA of modern political cartooning. He established a standard for visual wit and social critique that continues to inspire satirists today. His life's work remains a testament to the power of the printed image to challenge authority, expose hypocrisy, and immortalize the complex spirit of an age defined by transformation.
