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James Gillray, John Bull and the Sinking-Fund, 1807.

Featured on PDR in the essay The Art of Making Debts: Accounting for an Obsession in 19th-Century France

Being in debt was once an artful *promenade* — the process of eluding creditors through disguise and deceit. Erika Vause explores a forgotten financial history: the pervasive humor that once accompanied the literature and visual culture of debt.

Also appearing in the essay…

Other works by the artist in the archive…

    Image of bubble(s) in visual artA Sphere, Projecting Against a Plane by James Gillray, 1792Image of bubble(s) in visual art"Scientific Researches! — New Discoveries in Pneumaticks! — or, an Experimental Lecture on the Powers of Air —early vaccination illustrationA crowd listening to public speakersA historical military figure in a caricature is depicted in a frenzied state, stomping on papers, with a broken chair, a globe, and other objects scattered around. An expressive cloud of words emanates from the central figure, suggesting a chaotic or agitated state, with various texts and items on the ground contributing to the scene's disarray.A person slipping and falling on a snowy pavement outside a shop with caricature illustrations in the window.A vivid caricature showing an animated figure in historical military garb stepping on a paper, wielding a sword with a fierce expression, as another figure looks on in astonishment.An intricate caricature portrays three characters in historical military and naval attire engaged in a tense dialogue over a document. The character on the left is gesticulating aggressively with a saber, while the central figure in a naval uniform appears to be pleading, and the third figure on the right observes with a discontented expression.This caricature depicts an allegorical representation of a nation, personified as a maternal figure, doting on a diminutive figure in elaborate historical military uniform in a cradle. The scene suggests a nurturing relationship with hints of satire, emphasized by the exaggerated features and theatrical postures.A caricature portraying a very large figure observing a small figure in historical attire through a handheld telescope.This detailed caricature depicts a scene with one figure lounging with a beverage and food, while two figures energetically dance in the center, and a third figure, in historical military attire, peeks from behind a curtain. The elaborate detail and exaggerated expressions suggest a satirical or humorous narrative.A caricature depicting a figure in bed conversing with a devilish character, with a book and papers on the floor."A satirical artwork depicting a scene with oversized royalty watching a tiny man in a boat.The Great South Sea Caterpillar, Transform’d into a Bath Butterfly

John Bull and the Sinking-Fund

Artist

Date

1807

Source

Art Institute Chicago

More From

Underlying Rights

Public Domain Worldwide

Digital Rights

No Additional Rights

Image Size

1400 x 998

Styles

Themes

Tags

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