Very Slippy Weather

Gillray combined etching with engraving to achieve fine line work and deep shadows, then applied hand‑applied colour to highlight details such as the green coat and the metallic coins. The use of wove paper provides a smooth surface that enhances the crispness of the lines, while the exaggerated poses and crowded setting reflect Gillray’s characteristic blend of precise draftsmanship and caricatural exaggeration.

The print is part of Gillray’s prolific output of political and social satire during the early nineteenth century. Numerous examples of his work, including Very Slippy Weather, are held in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London, where they contribute to the museum’s representation of British print culture of the period.

Created at a time when Gillray frequently lampooned figures such as George III and Napoleon, the print reflects the broader climate of public humor directed at authority and everyday mishaps. Its winter setting and bustling urban backdrop echo the growing visibility of public spaces in London, where street life became a common subject for satirical commentary.