About this image...

Image Title: The Great South Sea Caterpillar, Transform'd Into A Bath Butterfly, 1795

Creator: Gillray, James, 1756-1815, artist

Date: 1795 July 4th.

Summary: Cartoon shows the metamorphosis of Sir Joseph Banks from a caterpillar to a butterfly upon his investiture with the Order of the Bath as a result of his South Sea expedition. Draped with the ribbon, and wearing the jewel, of Bath, he rises, chrysalis shaped, from the mudflats on butterfly wings emblazoned with sea creatures towards a radiant sun enclosing a crown.

Notes: Captioned: Description of the New Bath Butterfly - taken from the "Philosophical Transactions for 1795" - "This Insect first crawl'd into notice from among the Weeds & Mud on the Banks of the South Sea; & being afterwards placed in a Warm Situation by the Royal Society, was changed by the heat of the Sun into its present form - it is notic'd & Valued Solely on account of the beautiful Red which encircles its Body, & the Shining Spot on its Breast; a Distinction which never fails to render Caterpillars valuable.

Subjects: Banks, Joseph,--1743-1820
Butterflies--Great Britain--1790-1800
Caterpillars--Great Britain--1790-1800
Order of the Bath--People--1790-1800

Original Media: Etching

Collections: Cartoon Prints, British » more info...

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