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The Gordon-Knot, or The Bonny Duchess hunting the Bedford Bull
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The Gordon-Knot, or The Bonny Duchess hunting the Bedford Bull
NCO193177 The Gordon-Knot, or The Bonny Duchess hunting the Bedford Bull, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1797 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College, Oxford; (add.info.: the Duchess of Gordon (c.1749-1812) trying to marry her daughter, Lady Georgiana, to the Duke of Bedford; ); English, out of copyright
Media ID 22339880
© Bridgeman Images
Arranged Marriage Betrothal Hanoverian Noose Plume Social Climber Social Satire Speech Bubble Tartan Overbearing Pretensions
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In this hand-coloured etching titled "The Gordon-Knot, or The Bonny Duchess hunting the Bedford Bull" we are transported back to the vibrant world of Georgian society. Created by James Gillray and published by Hannah Humphrey in 1797, this satirical masterpiece offers a humorous commentary on the social pretensions and overbearing nature of the Duchess of Gordon. The scene unfolds with Lady Georgiana, daughter of the Duchess, at its center. Clad in tartan attire and surrounded by speech bubbles, she becomes an unwitting pawn in her mother's grand plan to secure a betrothal between her and the Duke of Bedford. The exaggerated caricature highlights not only Lady Georgiana's predicament but also serves as a travesty of the three graces. With biting wit and clever symbolism, Gillray exposes both societal expectations and individual ambitions. The noose hanging above Lady Georgiana's head represents the constraints imposed upon her through arranged marriages prevalent during that era. Meanwhile, her mother stands proudly adorned with plumes symbolizing aggrandisement. This engraving is a testament to Gillray's mastery in capturing social satire. It invites us to reflect on themes such as class dynamics, ambition-driven matchmaking, and Scottish influences within English high society during Hanoverian times. Courtesy of New College Oxford's collection, this print transports us into an era where art served as a powerful tool for critique while entertaining viewers with its intricate details and hidden meanings.
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