Metallic Tractors

James Gillray|Dr. Elisha Perkins

1803 · Hand-colored etching · Drawings and Prints

This small copy of a Gillray satire of November 11, 1801 appeared in the periodical "London and Paris" in 1803. The image centers on Dr. Elisha Perkins, an American inventor who claimed that electrified metallic tractors he invented could cure various diseases. Elisha's son Benjamin advertised the device from the house of John Hunter, 18 Leicester Square in London between 1798 and 1802 and Dr. Perkins here applies them to boils on the nose of a man who may be intended to represent John Bull. Published in Weimar between 1798 and 1815, "London and Paris" reported on cultural and political events in England and France and included reproductions of British and French prints, including many satires and caricatures. These often appeared soon after their initial publication date.

Artist

James Gillray|Dr. Elisha Perkins

Date

1803

Medium

Hand-colored etching

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883