Design For Naval Pillar (With Labels)

Design For Naval Pillar (With Labels)

James Gillray's 'Design for the Naval Pillar,' the image the exhibition focuses around, displays a statued configured of high relief objects standing upon a rock in a story sea. The base is supported by two figures: Fortitude, with a lion, resting her hand on a broken pillar and Justice, accompanied by an ostrich and holding unbalanced scales. Within the pillar are numerous objects, which suggest that the pillar had a dual purpose of critiquing both the French and British navy. Such objects discussed in the exhibition include Justice's unbalanced scales, the Jack Tar, the bonnet-rouge and the figure of Britannia. This image is included with labels of the main motifs the exhibition covers.

James Gillray

The British Museum

Hannah Humphrey

Published 1 February 1800 in London

The British Museum

© Trustees of the British Museum

Hand-colored etching

Image: 54.6 x 30.6 cm

Still Image