James Gillray (1757-1815)

Get a Gillray Certificate of Authenticity for your painting (COA) for your Gillray drawing.

For all your Gillray artworks you need a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) in order to sell, to insure or to donate for a tax deduction.

Getting a Gillray Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is easy. Just send us photos and dimensions and tell us what you know about the origin or history of your Gillray painting or drawing.

If you want to sell your Gillray painting or drawing use our selling services. We offer Gillray selling help, selling advice, private treaty sales and full brokerage.

We have been authenticating Gillray and issuing certificates of authenticity since 2002. We are recognized Gillray experts and Gillray certified appraisers. We issue COAs and appraisals for all Gillray artworks.

Our Gillray paintings and drawings authentications are accepted and respected worldwide.

Each COA is backed by in-depth research and analysis authentication reports.

The Gillray certificates of authenticity we issue are based on solid, reliable and fully referenced art investigations, authentication research, analytical work and forensic studies.

We are available to examine your Gillray painting or drawing anywhere in the world.

You will generally receive your certificates of authenticity and authentication report within two weeks. Some complicated cases with difficult to research Gillray paintings or drawings take longer.

Our clients include Gillray collectors, investors, tax authorities, insurance adjusters, appraisers, valuers, auctioneers, Federal agencies and many law firms.

We perform James Gillray art authentication. appraisal, certificates of authenticity (COA), analysis, research, scientific tests, full art authentications. We will help you sell your James Gillray or we will sell it for you.

Gillray painting, John Bull Taking his Luncheon

John Bull Taking his Luncheon

James Gillray was an 18th century British artist and charicaturist. He was famous for his political cartoons and satires of social situations, mainly those that were published from 1792 until 1810.

Gillray painting, Modern Grace

Modern Grace

Gillray studied at the Royal Academy as a young man and supported himself as an engraver. During these early years, he likely submitted a number of drawings to various newspapers and publications under pen names, making it very likely that an unknown early drawing of his may surface somewhere. During this time, Gillray was heavily influenced by the work of Hogarth.

Gillray painting, Monstrous Craws

Monstrous Craws

During this time, Gillray became involved with printmaker and publisher Miss. Hannah Humphrey. Gillray would display his work in Humphrey’s shop, and the two caused quite a scandal by living together, unmarried. Though rumors circulated about their relationship, historians are still uncertain whether theirs was a romantic or strictly business relationship.

Gillray painting, Humphrey's Shop, Displaying Gillray's Caricatures

Humphrey’s Shop, Displaying Gillray’s Caricatures

Gillray was at his height of popularity during the French Revolution, and as a result, produced a great many caricatures of Napoleon, among many other noticeable politicians and public figures of the era.

Gillray painting, Plum Pudding in Danger

Plum Pudding in Danger

Some art historians have hinted that Gillray may have suffered from insanity, if not temporary insanity at times, but created a large volume of work nonetheless. Towards the end of his career, Gillray’s eyesight began to fail and he suffered from the gout his entire life due to incessant drinking. Gillray even survived a suicide attempt in 1811 after throwing himself out of a window.

Gillray painting, The Gout

The Gout

Today Gillray’s caricatures are valued not only as works of art, but as historical documents of a bygone era. In recent years, Gillray’s cartoons and sketches have become quite collectible, with some originals fetching upwards of $20,000 at auction.

Gillray painting, Light Expelling Darkeness

Light Expelling Darkeness

Still wondering about an 18 th century English caricature in your family collection? Contact us…it could be by James Gillray.


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