Incompetence Collection

Le Charivari, obligé de refaire prochainement une nouvelle vue... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Le Charivari, oblige de refaire prochainement une nouvelle vue... 19th century....de l'emplacement ou s'elevait temple de la Paix'. New siting required for the Temple of Peace

The men in sacks, plate 8 of Proverbs, 1819-23, pub. 1864 (etching)
IND82108 The men in sacks, plate 8 of Proverbs, 1819-23, pub. 1864 (etching) by Goya y Lucientes, Francisco Jose de (1746-1828); 24.8x35.9 cm; Private Collection; Index Fototeca

193-0082150 The Chinchillas, plate 50 of Los caprichos, 1799 (etching)
IND81669 193-0082150 The Chinchillas, plate 50 of Los caprichos, 1799 (etching) by Goya y Lucientes, Francisco Jose de (1746-1828); 20.7x15.1 cm; Private Collection; Index Fototeca

Tirailleur Francais et Chevau leger de l Armee de Pacha de Rhodes
NCO256301 Tirailleur Francais et Chevau leger de l Armee de Pacha de Rhodes, published by Hannah Humphrey, 1799 (coloured engraving) by Gillray

Punch cartoon: Bad Hanging (Dedicated to the R. A. s) (engraving)
6034725 Punch cartoon: Bad Hanging (Dedicated to the R. A. s) (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: Bad Hanging (Dedicated to the R. A. s)

Punch cartoon: two street urchins expressing a disrespect for the effectiveness of the police (engraving)
6035017 Punch cartoon: two street urchins expressing a disrespect for the effectiveness of the police (engraving) by English School

Punch cartoon: Waltons Complete Bungler (engraving)
6034889 Punch cartoon: Waltons Complete Bungler (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: Waltons Complete Bungler)

Father Grosbouchons ill-fated fishing trip (colour litho)
6001207 Father Grosbouchons ill-fated fishing trip (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Father Grosbouchons ill-fated fishing trip)

A King Fisher on the Banks of the Thames, 1827. Creator: Monogrammist JVS
A King Fisher on the Banks of the Thames, 1827

Benjamin Haydon, 1816, (1943). Creator: George Henry Harlow
Benjamin Haydon, 1816, (1943). Portrait of British painter and author Benjamin Robert Haydon (1786-1846) whose " Autobiography" proved more enduring than his painting

Shooting scene, 1813. Creator: Unknown
Cambridge, 1813. Incompetent hunter with gun pursuing a bird, as lead shot spills out of his pocket. Cows scatter in the distance. [W D Jones, Repository of Arts, Market Hill, Cambridge, 1813]

Cockney-sportsmen re-charging, 1800. Artist: James Gillray
Cockney-sportsmen re-charging, 1800. A young cit standing legs astride negligently using a ramrod. His companion is leaning against a fence gnawing chicken voraciously

Sunday Morning, c1825. Artist: George Hunt
Sunday Morning, c1825. Scene inside barbers shop; a hop boy receives a haircut (left); a large man being brutally shaved bellows with rage (centre)

The fourteenth of September or, City sportsmen, 1798. Seven scenes lampooning the antics of city men in the country when shooting

Marconi Shares Scandal, 1913. Artist: Leonard Raven-Hill
Marconi Shares Scandal, 1913. In 1911 the British government decided to award a contract to the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company to erect state-owned radio stations across the British Empire

A satirical look at the chances of the average police constables ability to catch a cold, 1886
A satirical look at the chances of the average police constables ability to catch a cold. From Punch, or the London Charivari, October 30, 1886

An Unbeliever, 1886. Artist: Joseph Swain
An Unbeliever, 1886. A policeman is reluctant to accept that the man he is trying to rouse has died on the streets of London. From Punch, or the London Charivari, January 9, 1886

Blind-Mans Buff, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
Blind-Mans Buff, 1888. The policeman faces insurmountable odds in his attempts to catch the many villains operating on the streets of Britains towns and cities

Low(e) art and whitewash, 1873. Artist: Joseph Swain
Low(e) art and whitewash, 1873. Mr Robert Lowe slaps whitewash onto the sturdy figure of a policeman. The British police had been under fire in recent years following various scandals both in London

Christopher Columbus is arrested by order of the Spanish Crown before being sent back to Spain in chains to face charges of incompetance and brutality during his tenure as governor of the Indies

Caricature of Henry Irving sweeping amateurs away
Caricature of the actor-manager Henry Irving (1838-1905) sweeping the amateur rubbish away from the theatre. 1883

Cirpariano Castro
CIPRIANO CASTRO Dictator of Venezuela, ruined the economy with amazing incompetence, deposed in absentia. Date: 1858 - 1924

Sir Harry Smith - 4
Sir Harry Smith (1787 - 1860) - soldier and administrator whose arrogant and insensitive policies, coupled with his incompetence, led to catastrophe for the Xhosa (Kaffirs) in South Africa

Sir Harry Smith - 2
Sir Harry Smith (1787 - 1860) - soldier and administrator whose arrogant and insensitive policies, coupled with his incompetence, led to catastrophe for the Xhosa (Kaffirs)in South Africa

Sir Harry Smith - 3
Sir Harry Smith (1787 - 1860) - soldier and administrator whose arrogant and insensitive policies, coupled with his incompetence, led to catastrophe for the Xhosa (Kaffirs)in South Africa

Wolseley / Garnet / Pen&p
GARNET, 1ST VISCOUNT WOLSELEY General whose early successes in India and Africa were followed by appalling incompetence during the Boer War Date: 1833 - 1913

Boer / Cartoon / Uk General
CARTOONS A British general on reconnaissance during the Boer War discovers a mountain. Satire on British incompetence. Date: 1900

Francisco Sandoval
FRANCISCO ROJAS Y SANDOVAL, duque de Lerma - Spanish cardinal and statesman, favourite of Felipe III, remarkable for his utter incompetence, mismanagement. Date: 1552 - 1625

The Auction, by Matthew Darly, circa 1756 (engraving)
XJF867786 The Auction, by Matthew Darly, circa 1756 (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: BM 1849, 1003.58); English, out of copyright

The bursting of the Bilberry Reservoir, spreading destructio
The bursting of the Bilberry Reservoir. Much destruction was caused by the flooding, bridges lost and buildings demolished

2nd Baron of Chelmsford
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS THESIGER second Baron CHELMSFORD Military commander during the Zulu War, where his appalling incompetence led to the deaths of thousands of his men

Sir Harry Smith - 1
SIR HARRY SMITH - soldier and administrator whose arrogant and insensitive policies, coupled with his incompetence, led to catastrophe for the Xhosa (Kaffirs)in South Africa

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"Incompetence: A Visual Journey Through Art and Satire" This captivating collection of artworks and satirical cartoons sheds light on the timeless theme of incompetence. From Francisco Goya's haunting etching "The Chinchillas" to James Gillray's humorous depiction of "Cockney-sportsmen re-charging, " these pieces offer a glimpse into the human folly that often leads to ineptitude. In William Hogarth's iconic series, "The men in sacks, " plate 8 of Proverbs, we witness individuals burdened by their own ignorance and lack of skill. Published in 1864, this etching serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of incompetence. Similarly, Francisco Goya's plate 70 from "The Disasters of War" presents an unsettling scene titled "They do not know the way. " This poignant etching from 1810-14 (pub. 1863) captures the dire consequences when those in power lack knowledge or direction. Moving on to satire, Punch magazine delivers biting commentary through engravings such as "Bad Hanging, " dedicated to the Royal Academy. With clever wit and sharp imagery, this cartoon highlights how even esteemed institutions can fall victim to incompetence. Another Punch cartoon portrays two street urchins expressing disrespect for police effectiveness. This engraving challenges societal norms while questioning authority figures' ability to maintain order effectively. Meanwhile, Father Grosbouchon's ill-fated fishing trip depicted in a colorful lithograph showcases how even leisurely pursuits can be marred by sheer ineptitude. The comical misadventures remind us that no aspect of life is immune to our own shortcomings. Artists like Monogrammist JVS capture moments where nature itself becomes witness to human inadequacy. In his piece titled "A King Fisher on the Banks of Thames, " we see how even amidst serene surroundings, our flaws are exposed with stark clarity.