Home > Mary Evans Prints Online > Royal Aeronautical Society
Satirical ballooning cartoon, Lord Grenville
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Satirical ballooning cartoon, Lord Grenville
He Steers His Flight. Satirical cartoon on the subject of Lord Grenvilles installation as Chancellor of Oxford University. He is seated in a balloon ascending into the air, wearing his Chancellors gown, with a crucifix at the back. The balloon is depicted as a fat man with hot air (labelled Promises) escaping from behind. The installation (3 July 1810) followed a divisive election in which Lord Eldon opposed Lord Grenville on political and religious grounds. Opponents like Gillray saw Grenvilles installation as a triumph for Catholic Emancipation. Faces in the crowd include political figures: Buckingham, Stafford, M.A. Taylor, Erskine, Tierney, Holland, Grey, Sidmouth, Cholmondeley, Whitbread, Watkin Williams-Wynn, Fingall and Sheridan.
July 1810
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 7474887
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10610168
1810 Ascending Ballooning Chancellor Crucifix Election Emancipation Escaping Gown Grenville Harsh Installation Lampooning Oxford Papal Pope Promises Satire Satirical Triple University
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this satirical print from July 1810, titled "Lord Grenville (He Steers His Flight)," we see a caricature of the newly installed Chancellor of Oxford University, Lord Grenville, ascending into the sky in a hot air balloon. Dressed in his Chancellor's gown and wearing a crucifix on his back, Grenville is depicted as steering the balloon, which is shaped like a fat man with the label "Promises" escaping from behind. This humorous image was a commentary on the divisive election that had recently taken place, in which Lord Grenville was installed over the objections of Lord Eldon, who opposed him on both political and religious grounds. The crowd in the background is filled with prominent political figures of the day, including Buckingham, Stafford, M.A. Taylor, Erskine, Tierney, Holland, Grey, Sidmouth, Cholmondeley, Whitbread, Watkin Williams-Wynn, Fingall, and Sheridan. Some observers saw Grenville's installation as a triumph for Catholic Emancipation, as he was known to be sympathetic to Catholic rights. Others, like the cartoonist, saw it as a hollow victory, with the "Promises" of the new Chancellor seen as empty and fleeting, represented by the hot air escaping from the balloon. The use of religious imagery, with Grenville's crucifix and the balloon's resemblance to a fat Pope, added to the satirical tone of the print. Overall, this image offers a fascinating glimpse into the political and religious tensions of the time, as well as the use of satire and humor to comment on current events.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
