Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘The Contrast, or Things as they Are’.

'The Contrast, or Things as they Are'. Hand coloured etching and aquatint. 'London. Pubd Novr 12th 1796. by H. Humphrey New Bond Street'. 'Old England' is contrasted with 'New France'. In 'Old England' we see an orderly picture of Naval might. In the foreground stand three columns of Virtue (King), Honour (Lords) and Loyalty (Commons) held up by the 'British Constitution / Its Basis the Happiness of the People'. 'New France' is a disordered picture of ruin. 'Blood', 'Terror' and 'Oppression' are held up 'Democracy or French Constitution / Its Basis, Despotism'. At the bottom of the picture, discarded, are 'Religion', 'Pubk Credit', 'Monarchy', 'Laws', 'Trade', 'Honor', 'Loyalty', 'Virtue', 'Arts', 'Science'. In the middle of the composition standing between the two countries are gallows, on the English side hangs Paine's 'Rights of Man' on the French, 'Classical Lectures on the Roman History'. 13.75x25.5 inches.