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Satire Collection (page 3)

"Satire: A Timeless Art of Social Commentary" From William Hogarth's iconic prints Gin Lane and Beer Street, to James Gillray's biting political cartoons

Background imageSatire Collection: Uncorking Old Sherry, 1805

Uncorking Old Sherry, 1805
Uncorking Old Sherry, pub. 1805 (hand coloured engraving). William Pitt (1759-1806) giving a speech on 6th March 1805

Background imageSatire Collection: Angling in Troubled Waters. A Serio-Comic Map of Europe. Artist: Fred W

Angling in Troubled Waters. A Serio-Comic Map of Europe. Artist: Fred W. Rose (active End of 19th cen. )
Angling in Troubled Waters. A Serio-Comic Map of Europe. Private Collection

Background imageSatire Collection: A Rakes Progress - 2: The Levee, 1733. Artist: William Hogarth

A Rakes Progress - 2: The Levee, 1733. Artist: William Hogarth
A Rakes Progress - 2: The Levee, 1733. Tom holds a morning reception at his new palatial town lodgings. Vistors offer their services: a jockey, a dancing-master (with violin)

Background imageSatire Collection: La Commune arretee par l Ignorance et le Reaction, 1871

La Commune arretee par l Ignorance et le Reaction, 1871. Satirical cartoon depicting an allegorical figure representing the Paris Commune arrested by Ignorance and Reaction. From a private collection

Background imageSatire Collection: Water! Water! Everywhere; and not a Drop to Drink, 1849

Water! Water! Everywhere; and not a Drop to Drink, 1849. Comment on the London water supply during the reappearance of cholera in 1848 and 1849

Background imageSatire Collection: Development of Mesmeric Science, 1883. Artist: George du Maurier

Development of Mesmeric Science, 1883. Artist: George du Maurier
Development of Mesmeric Science, 1883. The fatal Mesmeric Duel in the Bois de Boulogne, between the Chevalier Lenoir, of Paris, and Professor Schwartz, of Berlin

Background imageSatire Collection: Labor Ipse Voluptas, 1869. Artist: Charles Samuel Keene

Labor Ipse Voluptas, 1869. Artist: Charles Samuel Keene
Labor Ipse Voluptas, 1869. The perils of smoking are highlighted in this cartoon. Tobacco affects how a man looks, and his energy levels. From Punch, or the London Charivari, May 22, 1869

Background imageSatire Collection: Art philistines by H. M. Bateman

Art philistines by H. M. Bateman
" Excuse me, sir, but if you like you can come and paint our cottage - the roses are looking lovely now." A modern artist looks infuriated at the suggestion he might paint something pretty

Background imageSatire Collection: Lutheran satirical print against the sale of indulgences by

Lutheran satirical print against the sale of indulgences by
Protestant Reformation. 16th century. Germany. Lutheran satirical print against the sale of indulgences by the papacy. Colored engraving

Background imageSatire Collection: Satires by Juvenal

Satires by Juvenal
Juvenal (Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis). 1st - 2nd centuries AD. Roman poet. Satires. Start of the First Satire. Leyden, 1532

Background imageSatire Collection: The Headmaster by Wilfrid Coleby and Edward Knoblauch

The Headmaster by Wilfrid Coleby and Edward Knoblauch
Promotional postcard for The Headmaster by Wilfrid T. Coleby and Edward Knoblauch. First produced at the Playhouse theatre, 22nd January 1913

Background imageSatire Collection: Thistle flower fairy, Carduus nutans

Thistle flower fairy, Carduus nutans.. Handcolored steel engraving by C. Geoffrois after an illustration by Jean Ignace Isidore Grandville from Les Fleurs Animees, Flower Fairies, Paris

Background imageSatire Collection: German cartoon on British recruitment techniques

German cartoon on British recruitment techniques
A cartoon from the German satirical magazine, Lustige Blatter reproduced in The Tatler suggesting that the famous recruitment posters did not persuade men to join up and that instead

Background imageSatire Collection: REMINGTON: FRONTIERSMEN. I took ye for an Injin. Drawing, 1890, by Frederic Remington

REMINGTON: FRONTIERSMEN. I took ye for an Injin. Drawing, 1890, by Frederic Remington

Background imageSatire Collection: HOGARTH: ELECTION. Chairing the Member. Engraving after the etching by William Hogarth (1697-1764)

HOGARTH: ELECTION. Chairing the Member. Engraving after the etching by William Hogarth (1697-1764)

Background imageSatire Collection: HOGARTH: CRUELTY, 1751. The Four Stages of Cruelty. First Stage of Cruelty

HOGARTH: CRUELTY, 1751. The Four Stages of Cruelty. First Stage of Cruelty. Engraving after the etching, 1751, by William Hogarth

Background imageSatire Collection: Labour Candidates

Labour Candidates
Labour candidates. - A postcard with a dual meaning, both a satire on potential Labour Party MPs and three down and out men all of whom are good candidates as labourers. Date: circa 1900s

Background imageSatire Collection: OTTO VON BISMARCK (1815-1898). Prince Otto von Bismarck-Schonhausen

OTTO VON BISMARCK (1815-1898). Prince Otto von Bismarck-Schonhausen. American cartoon of 1886 by Joseph Keppler mocking Bismarck as an Angel of Peace in the Balkans following his role as honest

Background imageSatire Collection: David Low, cartoonist

David Low, cartoonist
David Low (1891 - 1963), New Zealand born British political cartoonist. Drew cartoons for the Star and then Beaverbrooks Evening Standard

Background imageSatire Collection: th Huxley / Sambourne 1888

th Huxley / Sambourne 1888
THOMAS HENRY HUXLEY A satire on the English scientists discovery of a gelatinous substance on the seabed: he is discussing his findings with a mermaid

Background imageSatire Collection: The Four Seasons: Winter, 1577. Creator: Grimmer, Jacob (ca 1525-1590)

The Four Seasons: Winter, 1577. Creator: Grimmer, Jacob (ca 1525-1590)
The Four Seasons: Winter, 1577. Found in the collection of Szepmuveszeti Muzeum, Budapest

Background imageSatire Collection: Dropsy Courting Consumption, October 25, 1810. Creator: Thomas Rowlandson

Dropsy Courting Consumption, October 25, 1810. Creator: Thomas Rowlandson
Dropsy Courting Consumption, October 25, 1810

Background imageSatire Collection: Honi. Soi. Qui. Mal. Y. Pense: The Caricature Shop of G. Humphrey, 27 St. James

Honi. Soi. Qui. Mal. Y. Pense: The Caricature Shop of G. Humphrey, 27 St. Jamess Street, London, August 12, 1821

Background imageSatire Collection: The Corsican Spider in His Web!, July 12, 1808. July 12, 1808

The Corsican Spider in His Web!, July 12, 1808. July 12, 1808
The Corsican Spider in His Web!, July 12, 1808

Background imageSatire Collection: A man outside Brookss Club, London, 1815. Artist: George Cruikshank

A man outside Brookss Club, London, 1815. Artist: George Cruikshank
A man outside Brookss Club, London, 1815. Behold at Brookss step-nay! I ll be bound to say a figure such as this you ll see there every day

Background imageSatire Collection: A whist-er at Boodles - or a choice peice [sic] of double milled Yorkshire broad cloth, 1820

A whist-er at Boodles - or a choice peice [sic] of double milled Yorkshire broad cloth, 1820. A very obese man in profile is about to step into Boodles club, Pall Mall

Background imageSatire Collection: Election fair, Copenhagen Fields, Islington, London, 1795. Artist: James Gillray

Election fair, Copenhagen Fields, Islington, London, 1795. Artist: James Gillray
Copenhagen House.I tell you, citizens, we mean to new-dress the Constitution and turn it, and set a new nap on it Shakespeare ; showing an election fair in Copenhagen Fields, Islington, London, 1795

Background imageSatire Collection: Miseries of London, 1812

Miseries of London, 1812. A woman walking down Wapping Old Stairs being assailed by a group of watermen plying for trade. Two figures watch from a balcony

Background imageSatire Collection: The Orangerie - or - The Dutch Cupid reposing after the fatigues of Planting, 1796

The Orangerie - or - The Dutch Cupid reposing after the fatigues of Planting, 1796
The Orangerie - or - The Dutch Cupid reposing after the fatigues of Planting, published 1796 (hand-coloured engraving)

Background imageSatire Collection: The Modern Job! Or John Bull and his Comforts!, 1816

The Modern Job! Or John Bull and his Comforts!, 1816
The Modern Job! Or John Bull and his Comforts!, Pub. 1816 (hand coloured engraving)

Background imageSatire Collection: Victorian satirical cartoon - The modern damsel

Victorian satirical cartoon - The modern damsel
Vintage engraving of a Victorian satirical cartoon. The modern damsel

Background imageSatire Collection: Prince Albert the British Farmer, 1843

Prince Albert the British Farmer, 1843. Cartoon of Prince Albert (1819-1861) as a farmer. Prince Albert has turned his attention to the promotion of agriculture; and if you have seen

Background imageSatire Collection: Ridiculous Dream, 1819-1823. Artist: Francisco Goya

Ridiculous Dream, 1819-1823. Artist: Francisco Goya
Ridiculous Dream, 1819-1823. Plate 3 of Proverbs, published in 1864. The series is also known as disparates (absurdities) or suenos (dreams)

Background imageSatire Collection: Two Jubilees - a Harmony in Black and White, 1888

Two Jubilees - a Harmony in Black and White, 1888. The Pope paid a visit to Queen Victoria at the beginning of 1888. Dressed in white, he was in contrast to Her Majesty who

Background imageSatire Collection: Happy Hampstead!, 1875. Artist: Joseph Swain

Happy Hampstead!, 1875. Artist: Joseph Swain
Happy Hampstead!, 1875. A suburban family is shown enjoying a day out in the park. Behind them lurk the shrouded and menacing figures of Smallpox and Fever

Background imageSatire Collection: To Sufferers from Nervous Depression, 1869

To Sufferers from Nervous Depression, 1869. A cartoon depicting the joys of country life and clean living. From Punch, or the London Charivari, May 1, 1869

Background imageSatire Collection: Goya (1746-1828). Spanish painter and printmaker. Los Capric

Goya (1746-1828). Spanish painter and printmaker. Los Capric
Francisco de Goya (1746-1828). Spanish painter and printmaker. Los Caprichos. Donde va mama? (Where are you going mum?). Number 65. Aquatint. 1799. Plate 43. Reproduction by M. Segui i Riera

Background imageSatire Collection: Cartoon, Charles I and the chamberlain, WW1

Cartoon, Charles I and the chamberlain, WW1
Cartoon, Charles I and the chamberlain. Charles I of Austria (Karl Franz Joseph Ludwig Hubert Georg Otto Marie, 1887-1922), who succeeded Emperor Franz Joseph in 1916, seen here on his throne

Background imageSatire Collection: Cartoon, 19th century coach at an inn

Cartoon, 19th century coach at an inn
Cartoon showing a 19th century coach arriving at an inn for a Christmas meal. The plump woman getting out of the coach wonders whether there will be any plum pudding left for her

Background imageSatire Collection: Prohibition -The vision 1920

Prohibition -The vision 1920
In these days even " Spirits" have their " Ghost". Satire in a British periodical, depicting Uncle Sam thinking about when alcohol was freely available

Background imageSatire Collection: THOMAS PAINE (1737-1809). Anglo-American political philosopher and writer

THOMAS PAINE (1737-1809). Anglo-American political philosopher and writer. Fashion before Ease; or A good Constitution sacrificed for a Fantastic Form. English cartoon, 1793

Background imageSatire Collection: Satirical ballooning image

Satirical ballooning image
A rude satirical image of large and small balloons tied together, lifting a cannon, entitled The Montgolsier. A first rate of the French Aerial Navy. A Fart, an Ass, a Fool, A Monkey, a Nothing. 1783

Background imageSatire Collection: Queen Victoria at the railway ticket office

Queen Victoria at the railway ticket office
Queen Victoria depicted at the railway ticket office with her luggage, about to travel to London to open Parliament. Date: 1886

Background imageSatire Collection: Microbiology caricature, 19th century

Microbiology caricature, 19th century
Microbiology caricature. The researcher is handling jars labelled as bacterial cultures, while the magnified view at left shows a caricatured appearance of microbes as seen under a microscope

Background imageSatire Collection: Treating foot corns, satirical artwork

Treating foot corns, satirical artwork

Background imageSatire Collection: Animal magnetism, satirical artwork

Animal magnetism, satirical artwork
Animal magnetism. Satirical artwork depicting a patient and animal magnetism practitioner with animal heads. Animal magnetism was developed by the German physician Franz Mesmer (1734-1815)

Background imageSatire Collection: Dentistry, satirical artwork

Dentistry, satirical artwork
Dentistry. Satirical artwork titled Without Effort, showing a dentist and his assistant removing a patients tooth in a public display area

Background imageSatire Collection: Origin Species, CH Bennett, banker - vulture

Origin Species, CH Bennett, banker - vulture
Vulturine. Satire on Darwins Origin of Species showing the evolution of a vulture to a banker. Known for his beak and bald head the vulture has exchanged his feathers for a broadcloth



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"Satire: A Timeless Art of Social Commentary" From William Hogarth's iconic prints Gin Lane and Beer Street, to James Gillray's biting political cartoons, it has long been a powerful tool for social commentary. These artists used their craft to expose the vices and follies of society with sharp wit and clever imagery. In Gin Lane, Hogarth vividly portrays the devastating effects of alcoholism on individuals and communities. The chaotic scene serves as a cautionary tale against excessive drinking, highlighting the dark underbelly of London's gin craze in the 18th century. Meanwhile, Beer Street presents a stark contrast - an idyllic vision of moderation and prosperity. By juxtaposing these two prints, Hogarth satirically critiques societal choices while advocating for responsible consumption. Moving forward in time, we encounter Gillray's Napoleon Cartoon from 1805. This satirical etching humorously depicts Napoleon Bonaparte and British Prime Minister William Pitt carving up the world like a plumb pudding during peace negotiations. Through this exaggerated portrayal, Gillray mocks both leaders' hunger for power at the expense of global stability. Satire is not limited to politics alone; it also tackles technological advancements like man riding on a steam rocket or advertisements such as D'Oyly Carte Opera Company poster. These works playfully poke fun at society's fascination with progress or consumerism. Even centuries ago, satire was employed by artists like Charles Williams who parodied an advertisement for Rumford stoves in Luxury or Comforts of a Rum p ford. By exaggerating its benefits through colorful caricatures, Williams exposes how easily people can be swayed by marketing tactics. The Serio-Comic War Map For The Year 1877 takes satire into geopolitical realms by comically mapping out international conflicts during that period. It highlights absurdities within war strategies while reminding viewers that behind every conflict lie real human lives affected by political decisions.