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La Bonnet Rouge or John Bull evading the Hat Tax, pub. 1797 (handn coloured engraving)
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La Bonnet Rouge or John Bull evading the Hat Tax, pub. 1797 (handn coloured engraving)
2966816 La Bonnet Rouge or John Bull evading the Hat Tax, pub. 1797 (handn coloured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; (add.info.: financial measures implemented to fund the war against France; ); The Stapleton Collection
Media ID 25496892
© The Stapleton Collection / Bridgeman Images
Anti Jacobin Boots Commoner Corpse Domestic Cat Duty Economic Crisis Hat Shop Hatter James Gillray Kitten Kittens Liberty Cap Napoleonic Battle Napoleonic Conquest Napoleonic War Napoleonic Wars Pussies Pussy Rags Shop Window Taxation Taxes Unpatriotic Yokel Seditious War Scene War Zone
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The hand-coloured engraving titled "La Bonnet Rouge or John Bull evading the Hat Tax" by James Gillray captures a moment of political satire and social commentary during the Napoleonic Wars in 1797. The image depicts a chaotic scene outside a hat shop, where an impoverished kitten, symbolizing the commoner, is seen wearing a liberty cap while attempting to evade paying taxes on hats. Gillray's scathing satire portrays John Bull, representing England, as gormless and poor, struggling under heavy taxation imposed to fund the war against France. The artist cleverly incorporates various elements into the composition: dead cats hanging from the shop window signify the dire economic crisis faced by ordinary citizens; boots with swords stuck through them represent those who have fallen victim to war; and an anti-Jacobin sentiment pervades throughout. Through this satirical cartoon, Gillray criticizes both unpatriotic behavior and excessive taxation while highlighting societal issues such as poverty and inequality. His intricate detailing brings life to each character in this whimsical yet thought-provoking artwork. "La Bonnet Rouge or John Bull evading the Hat Tax" serves as a testament to Gillray's mastery of political caricature and his ability to use humor to shed light on pressing matters of his time. This print remains an important historical document that reflects not only England's struggle during wartime but also broader themes of class divide and government policies.
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