The Bengal Levee Possibly 1792

James Gillray made this print, "The Bengal Levee," using etching and aquatint, techniques which allowed for detailed line work and tonal shading. Etching involves drawing into a coated metal plate, which is then submerged in acid to bite the exposed lines; aquatint uses resin to create tonal areas. Here, the processes are crucial to the content. Gillray's sharp, satirical lines capture the exaggerated features and postures of the figures, skewering the social climbers and corrupt officials associated with the East India Company. The aquatint lends a sense of depth and atmosphere to the crowded room, enhancing the overall sense of opulence and excess. The print's value lies not just in its aesthetic qualities but in its incisive social commentary. The techniques Gillray employed—popular at the time—made his critiques accessible to a wide audience, contributing to a broader discourse on wealth, power, and colonial exploitation. By understanding the print's making, we gain insight into its cultural significance and the artist's critique of his society.