Substitutes for Bread;–or–Right Honorables, Saving the Loaves, & Dividing the Fishes 1795

James Gillray created this hand-colored etching, "Substitutes for Bread," during a period of acute food shortages in England. It satirizes the wealthy elite's indifference to the suffering of the poor. Gillray uses the visual language of caricature to critique the social hierarchy. Here, members of the government are shown feasting on extravagant substitutes for bread while famine looms. The composition is dominated by a lavish table laden with venison, roast beef, poultry, and turtle soup. This imagery creates a stark contrast with the "Proclamation for a General Fast" visible through the window, highlighting the hypocrisy of the ruling class. By exaggerating the physical features and gluttonous behavior of his subjects, Gillray underscores their detachment from the realities faced by ordinary people. This print reflects a broader tradition of social commentary in British art, where artists used satire to challenge authority and expose injustice. One may look to newspapers and political pamphlets from the time for a deeper understanding of the depicted events. Through that, the artwork will serve as a valuable resource for understanding social and institutional contexts.