The times, anno 1783

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 · April 14, 1783

Figures personifying England, France, Spain, and Holland represent the international situation. England (right), a John Bull, stout and plainly dressed, holds up his hands, with a melancholy expression. By his side (right) lies a broken anchor, and above his head a demon flies off, holding up a partly-rolled map of America. He has bat's wings and is clad in ragged breeches; he excretes a puff of smoke. France, in profile to the right, a 'petit maître' of exaggerated leanness, offers John Bull a snuff-box, and takes a pinch himself. Spain, the Spanish don of pictorial satire, wearing a long sword, stands, his left hand on the shoulder of France, the right arm outstretched. Behind him is Gibraltar, a rock with fortifications flying the British flag, in front small vessels are exploding in smoke, evidently the floating batteries which suffered such damage in the futile attack on Gibraltar of 13 Sept. 1782. Don Langara had been captured by Rodney in his victory of 16 Jan. 1780. On the extreme left is Holland, a stolid burgher wearing baggy breeches and a hat like an inverted flower-pot. He is in three quarter back view, looking to the right. Clouds above a low horizon form the background, with Gibraltar (left) and a naval engagement (right) in the distance (BM).