Gillray05 ~ 'The Hero of the Nile.' ~ Published by Hannah Humphrey: December 1, 1798 ~ Hand colored Etching ~ In this plate, Gillray points out the large rewards heaped upon Admiral Nelson for his victory at the Battle of the Nile at Aboukir Bay. He presents a solitary Nelson, on deck and enveloped in smoke and draws attention to the diamond broach in Nelson's hat, which was presented to him by the Sultan of Turkey. Gillray adapts a coat of arms below the main image to satirize Nelson's recent baronetcy and an annual pension, substituting a bulging purse and a scroll inscribed '2000 pr Ann' for the correct arms on the original shield. By placing it alongside Nelson's motto 'Palmam qui meruit ferat' (Let he who has earned it bear the Palm), Gillray questions whether such a large material reward really is merited in his "tongue in cheek" way.

Framed 22 inches x 17 inches ~ $375