A simply executed caricature extolling the might of British sea power over that of the French, with reference to the British blockade of Brest in 1803 by a squadron under Admiral Cornwallis. A gigantic figure of John Bull , dressed as Jack Tar , leans out of a boat off the French coast , eyeing the French ships at anchor in Brest harbour. He savours them as ' a very Pretty light Breakfast '. In contrast a diminutive Napoléon at the stern of one of the vessels utters the forlorn hope that ' he don't see me '. Gillray's 1798 print 'JOHN BULL' taking a luncheon had earlier portrayed John Bull ,the icon of English national character , as the enthusiastic devourer of of French ships, and it may be that the draughtsman of this print is consciously recapturing the image.
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- Girodet
- " Every day we should hear at least one good song , read one good poem , see one exquisite picture , and , if possible , speak a few sensible words . " Johann Wolfgang von Goethe "
Wednesday 28 November 2012
' John Bull Peeping into Brest ' George Moutard Woodward. English. (1760-1809) Hand-coloured etching . National Maritime Museum, Greenwhich . Published June 1803
A simply executed caricature extolling the might of British sea power over that of the French, with reference to the British blockade of Brest in 1803 by a squadron under Admiral Cornwallis. A gigantic figure of John Bull , dressed as Jack Tar , leans out of a boat off the French coast , eyeing the French ships at anchor in Brest harbour. He savours them as ' a very Pretty light Breakfast '. In contrast a diminutive Napoléon at the stern of one of the vessels utters the forlorn hope that ' he don't see me '. Gillray's 1798 print 'JOHN BULL' taking a luncheon had earlier portrayed John Bull ,the icon of English national character , as the enthusiastic devourer of of French ships, and it may be that the draughtsman of this print is consciously recapturing the image.
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