The first kiss this ten years! -or- the meeting of Britannia & Citizen François

The first kiss this ten years! -or- the meeting of Britannia & Citizen François

This print shows Britannia, fat, good-natured and richly dressed, being kissed by a tall and lean French military officer. He says: ‘Madame, permittez me, to pay my profound esteem to your engaging person! & to seal on your divine Lips my everlasting attachment!!!’ Britannia smiles with coy complacency and says “Monsieur, you are truly a well-bred Gentleman! - & tho’ you make me blush, yet, you Kiss so delicately, that I cannot refuse you; tho’ I was sure you would Deceive me again!!!’ Above their heads are portraits of Napoleon and King George III in frames bordered by olive and palm branches. Gillray here shows Britannia succumbing to the French forces as a corpulent figure unable to defend and fight for her country.

James Gillray

The British Museum

Hannah Humphrey

Published 1 January 1803 in London

The British Museum

© Trustees of the British Museum

Hand-colored etching and aquatint

Image: 34.8 x 24.7 cm

Still Image