A lively and colourful study of the 'Golden Age' of caricature. Detailed interpretations of key prints show how artists, including James Gillray, George and Robert Cruikshank, and Thomas Rowlandson, transformed Romantic-era politics into a unique and compelling spectacle of corruption, monstrosity and resistance.
Focusing on the turbulent political climate of the early 1830s to the 1840s, this book reevaluates a significant collection of comic caricatures that highlight the struggle for reform. Through close reading and political context, it showcases the impactful yet overlooked satirical prints and periodicals, particularly the works of Robert Seymour and C.J. Grant. These illustrations provide a sharp critique of class oppression and the monarchy during Queen Victoria's reign, revealing their aesthetic and ideological significance in advocating for social change.
The book explores the significant impact of Georgian caricature during the Queen Caroline controversy of 1820-21. Following George IV's refusal to acknowledge his estranged wife Caroline as queen, her steadfast claim to the throne sparked widespread public support and sympathy. This movement, characterized by mass rallies and protests, challenged the government and highlighted the power of satire in shaping public opinion during this tumultuous period in British history.