A CARICATURE OF PAUL I TRAMPLING THE FRENCH FLAG UNDER HIS FOOT"THE MAGNANIMOUS ALLY" ("NOBLE ALLY»)
Engraving print by James Gillray after the original of an unknown artist. Publisher - Hannah Humphrey
St.Petersburg – London
1799
Caption under the image: "The Magnanimous Ally Painted at Petersburg 1799”
Engraving print, watercolor painted
35 х 27,5 cm
From old receipts
Showcase 1
On that print the Russian Emperor Paul I maliciously ridiculed as the Strangler of "Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood". He is trampling under his foot a banner with the inscription "VIVE L'EGALITE" ("long live Equality!").
The drawing was created in 1799 in St.Petersburg by an unknown artist and same year published in London.
This caricature eloquently expresses displeasure of its authors with the union of Great Britain and Russia. In 1799 was launched the Anglo-Russian campaign against the revolutionary troops of France in the Netherlands. This expedition for Russia was unsuccessful. Paul I as the Grand Master of the Order of Malta considered an island a subordinate territory. On November 22 (December 4), 1800 after Malta was captured by the British Navy diplomatic relations between the two countries were cut off.
James Gillray (1757–1815) was a famous English engraver and author of more than 1,500 political cartoons, whose early works were also known by the monograms "J. Kent" and "J. Hurd".
Hannah Humphrey was publisher and bookseller, sister of engraver William Humphrey. In the 1770s she began publishing printed illustrations, and in 1779 opened her own shop of prints, which sold prints with images on historical themes, portraits and cartoons. Since 1791, the famous George Gillray started to work exclusively for Hannah that brought her enterprise to the leaders among competitors. He also had a personal relationship with Hannah; they had lived together for over 20 years.
Hannah Humphrey's print shop was located in London on St. James Street, 27.
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