AN exhibition featuring works by Georgian artist James Gillray opened yesterday.

The Savage Satirist display at Fairfax House, York, includes a number of cartoons designed to undermine the authorities in 18th century England.

Fairfax House director Peter Brown said: "These spitting images of their day spared no one - politicians, royalty or foreigners - with their deadly accurate aim.

"Every drop of venom from Gillray's poisonous pen was eagerly anticipated by a populace thirsty for gossip, rumour and scandal in the form of the popular print."

A modern-day version of Gillray's character, John Bull, visited Fairfax House yesterday to inspect his cartoon image in the exhibition, which runs until June 2