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Cartoon, Confederated Coalition
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Cartoon, Confederated Coalition
Cartoon, Confederated Coalition, or, The Giants storming Heaven, with the Gods alarmed for their everlasting abodes, by James Gillray. Depicting government ministers Hawkesbury, Addington and St. Vincent in Heaven, defending the Treasury against an army of Giants (opposition politicians, including Pitt and Fox) below them. Inspired by a speech by the Lord Chancellor in April 1804, with parodic references to Milton (Paradise Lost) and Bartolomeo Coriolanos engraving of Guido Renis Fall of the Giants. Date: 1804
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Media ID 14230267
© The Sharp Illustration Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1800s 1804 Addington Alarmed Attack Bartolomeo Chancellor Coalition Comment Conservative Conservatives Criticism Defence Defending Everlasting Fight Giants Gillray Gods Guido Harsh Hawkesbury Heaven Lost Milton Opposition Paradise Parody Pitt Politicians Power Reni Satire Satirical Speech Storming Struggle Tories Tory Treasury Vincent Whig Whigs Abodes Coriolano
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EDITORS COMMENTS
James Gillray's 'Cartoon, Confederated Coalition, or, The Giants storming Heaven' is a satirical print from 1804 that offers a harsh commentary on the political struggle for power in Britain during this period. The image depicts a scene in heaven, where government ministers, Hawkesbury, Addington, and St. Vincent, are shown defending the Treasury against an invading army of Giants representing opposition politicians, including Pitt and Fox, below. This print was inspired by a speech given by the Lord Chancellor in April 1804, which drew parallels between the current political climate and the epic battle between the gods and the giants in John Milton's 'Paradise Lost.' Gillray's print is a parody of Bartolomeo Coriolano's engraving 'Guido Reni's Fall of the Giants,' with the gods alarmed for their everlasting abodes as they witness the chaos unfolding. The use of giants as a representation of opposition politicians was a common trope in political satire of the time, emphasizing the perceived size and power of these figures in the political landscape. The print's title, 'Cartoon, Confederated Coalition,' reflects the political coalition that had recently formed between the Whigs and Tories, which was seen as a threat to the ruling administration. The use of the term 'confederated' suggests an alliance or union between these opposing forces, which was causing instability and uncertainty in the government. The print's harsh criticism of the political climate is evident in the chaotic scene depicted, with the gods looking on in alarm as the giants storm heaven. The use of religious imagery adds an element of drama and gravity to the satire, highlighting the seriousness of the political situation and the potential consequences of the ongoing struggle for power.
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