Who painted Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon?

Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon was painted by James Gillray in 1791.

Where can I see Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon?

Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon?

Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon?

Museum-quality prints of Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon

James Gillray , 1791

Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon is an ink print by the Romanticist artist James Gillray. It dates from 1791 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper center in plate: To H: Fuzelli Esqr. this attempt in the Caricatura-Sublime, is respectfully dedicated; lower left in ink: 3: lower center in plate: WIERD-SISTERS; MINISTERS OF DARKNESS: MINIONS of the MOON." / "They should be Women!--and yet their beards forbit us to interpret--that they are so" --; lower right in plate: Pubs. Dec 23d 1791 / by H. Humphrey No. 18 Old Bond Street; upper right in pen and ink: The Th--; lower center, in pen and ink: Mr. Dundas Mr. Pitt Ld. Thurlow

About this work

Overview

Wierd-Sisters; Ministers of Darkness; Minions of the Moon is a 1791 print by James Gillray, created using a combination of etching, engraving, and aquatint techniques in sepia, with additional hand-coloring and inscriptions by the artist.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts three women, seemingly witches, congregated around a table, clad in antiquated attire. The scene is laden with satirical intent, targeting an unspecified figure or institution through Gillray's hallmark visual exaggeration and social critique.

Technique & Style

Gillray's work showcases his distinctive blend of techniques: etching for line work, engraving for detail, and aquatint for tonal depth, all in sepia. Hand-coloring and inscriptions add a personal touch. The style is characterized by exaggerated visuals coupled with biting social commentary.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1791, this print falls within Gillray's satirical corpus, which frequently lampooned prominent figures like George III and Napoleon. The current location and ownership history of this specific print are not detailed here.

Context

Emerging in 1791, the print reflects Gillray's role as a leading English caricaturist and printmaker of his time, contributing to the evolution of political cartooning with his sharp, visually driven commentary.

Legacy

This work contributes to Gillray's legacy as a foundational figure in political cartooning, notable for his pioneering use of visual satire to critique political and social norms.

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Artist & collection

Artist

James Gillray

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.