Midas, Transmuting All into Paper

Gillray employed a fine etching line on laid paper, later enhanced with hand‑applied watercolor. The bold reds and golds highlight the central figure, while the crowded foreground is rendered in finer, more subdued tones, creating a dramatic contrast that emphasizes the satirical narrative.

Issued in 1797, the print circulated widely in pamphlets and broadsheets, reaching a broad audience across Britain. Gillray’s reputation as the pre‑eminent political caricaturist of his day ensured the work’s rapid dissemination, influencing public opinion on the Bank of England’s policies during the period.