‘Visiting the Sick’, 1806

Description

Mounted hand coloured etching, entitled ‘VISITING the SICK’, designed and etched by James Gillray, and published by H. Humphrey in 1806.

The imagery of pharmacy and medicine is well used in the depiction of general political and social issues portrayed in many caricatures. ‘VISITING the SICK’ is a satire on the last illness of the politician Charles James Fox, who died in 1806.

An ailing Fox, with gouty legs, sits dressed in a nightgown and cap in a gothick chair. He surrounded by various political allies and opponents, with each commenting on his condition. To the left, a suspicious looking group of men, including a doctor, are shown leaving the palatial sickroom, saying; “such a day as This! was never seen!”, “O! such a day as This! so renowned so Victorious”, “Well Doctor, have you done his business? – shall we have the Coast clear soon?”

The Doctor holding a bottle of “Composing Draft” replies “We’ll see!”. In the centre Fox says to the Bishop; “I abhor all Communion which debars us the comfor