Signor Puppy: First Catgut Scraper
Signor Puppy: First Catgut Scraper appears to have been etched by Gillray after a drawing by an amateur. Though published by Hannah Humphrey in 1781, it is the first example of Gillray working clearly within the portrait caricature tradition associated with the Darly's and their "Macaroni" prints of the 1770s.
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Like the Darly prints, it is a card-sized (~4x6 inches), full length profile against a blank background. The title of the print alludes to but does not directly specify the identity of the subject. But as usual, there are sufficient clues to enable the audience of 1781 to identify the subject. Thanks to M. Dorothy George, we know the figure to be Giuseppe Puppo, a violinist, composer, and director who had made a reputation for himself abroad and who had come to England some time before 1781 to enjoy the fruits of his fame.
In 1781, Gillray was devoting most of his time to engraving larger, "serious" portraits in portrait oval format, including Pensionary Van Berkel, Haidar Ali, and Marquis La Fayette, or sentimental prints (also in portrait oval) like The Return. He may have regarded the portrait of Signior Puppy as a less satisfying portrait engraving commision, but a commission nonetheless. But in hindsight we can see it as another small step in the direction of portrait caricature which was to become one of Gillray's signature talents.
Sources and Reading
- Commentary from the British Museum on Signor Puppy: First Cat Gut Scraper
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