Related
A royal brewery, or how to cook a wife, British Cartoon Print
Summary
Print shows George IV, "a conning stoker," of some "Mischief brewing," stirring up the "Flames of Persecution," with "vengeance," saying, "If this trial fail I'l brew no more." Behind him is a vat "Filthy composition" into which flows "a pure stream to expose the secrets" which spills on a couple in an embrace, "How do you like it - non mi Ricordo." Passing an open door is Caroline, "The brewers wife." On the right are three men, one says, "Be just in all your dealings." Another, holding a pitcher labeled "a trial" says, "I can't swallow this, it is all froth." The third says, "I wonder at our commander engaging in such a business."
Paper watermarked on lower right corner: 1820.
Forms part of: British Cartoon Prints Collection (Library of Congress).
It wasn't really until the 1700s that caricature truly blossomed as a form of political criticism. In the late 1750s, a man named Thomas Townshend began using the techniques employed by earlier engravers and applying them towards a political model. This gave Thompson's cartoons a much greater feeling of propaganda than previous artistic critiques of the time. The intense political climate of the period, and often accusatory nature of most political cartoons forced many artists to use pseudonyms in order to avoid accusations of libel. Other artists took it a step farther, and left their cartoons completely unsigned, foregoing any credit they may have received. Political higher-ups were notoriously touchy about their reputations and were not afraid to make examples of offenders. Puck was the first successful humor magazine in the United States of colorful cartoons, caricatures and political satire of the issues of the day. It was published from 1871 until 1918.
Tags
Date
Location
Source
Copyright info
