1786
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A New Way to Pay the National-Debt is a 1786 ink by James Gillray, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
In the image, a man in a tricorn hat and white clothing stands in the center, holding a large money bag in each hand. He is surrounded by a group of people, some of whom are dressed in formal attire, while others appear more disheveled. The scene takes place in front of a stone archway with the word "TREASURY" inscribed above it. The atmosphere of the scene is one of chaos and disorder, with people milling about and the man in the center appearing to be in control of the situation. The image is rendered in a detailed and realistic style, with intricate textures and shading. The artist's use of satire and social commentary is evident in this image, which appears to be a commentary on the state of the national debt. For more information on the artist's use of satire, look up the artist Gillray, James.
James Gillray (13 August 1756 – 1 June 1815) was an English caricaturist and printmaker famous for his etched political and social satires, mainly published between 1792 and 1810.
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