James Gillray - Breathing A Vein - Hand-colored Etching, Humphrey Edition, 1804

This remarkable satirical print by the master caricaturist James Gillray is an authentic first edition, published in 1804 by his renowned publisher, Hannah Humphrey. Preserved in institutional collections, this work is among the most emblematic illustrations of early 19th-century medical satire. It humorously and incisively critiques the therapeutic practices of the time, particularly bloodletting, once considered a universal remedy. The scene depicts a hesitant practitioner about to bleed a somber-looking patient, seated and wearing a red skullcap. Gillray's caricatural style is evident in the expressions and postures of the figures. The fineness of the drawing, the brilliance of the hand-applied colors, and the theatrical composition underscore the high quality of this print, which remains in excellent condition. This copy was framed in England in the 1950s by the London art dealers Vicars Brothers Ltd. and is presented under a black mat in a period frame, ready to hang. Dimensions • Visible image dimensions (with mat): 20.5 × 26.5 cm (approx. 8.1 × 10.4 in) • Frame dimensions: 30 × 37 cm (approx. 11.8 × 14.6 in) Hand-colored etching — First edition Published by Hannah Humphrey, London, January 28, 1804, 27 St James Street