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The Reform Janus, 1860
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The Reform Janus, 1860
The Reform Janus, 1860. Here, Janus has the face(s) of Lord Russell, who had recently introduced an unpopular bill for Parliamentary Reform. In Roman mythology, the god Janus represents doorways and passageways, and is usually depicted with two faces, one looking forwards, and one backwards. On the left is John Bright, MP for Birmingham, a passionate advocate of reform. He is to be consoled by the promise that the proposed bill will double his constituency. On the right of Janus Russell, however, is the former premier, Lord Derby. He is being consoled by the promise that the bill will only add a total of one per cent to the franchise. Both men, however, wear deeply suspicious expressions. From Punch, or the London Charivari, May 5, 1860
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Media ID 14830518
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
15th Earl Of Derby Bright Derby Distrust Earl Of Derby Edward Edward Henry Stanley Edward Stanley Heritage Image Partnership Janus John Bright Lord Lord Derby Member Of Parliament Monocle Parliamentary Reform Reform Bill Stanley Suspicion Suspicious Two Faced Metaphor
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The Reform Janus, 1860
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating print that captures the political climate of the 19th century with its clever symbolism and satirical undertones. In this intriguing artwork, we see the Roman god Janus personified by Lord Russell, who had recently introduced an unpopular bill for Parliamentary Reform. The print portrays two contrasting scenes on either side of Janus Russell's faces. On the left, John Bright, a passionate advocate of reform and Member of Parliament for Birmingham, appears to seek solace in the promise that the proposed bill will double his constituency. Meanwhile, on the right side of Janus Russell stands Lord Derby, a former premier wearing a deeply suspicious expression. He is being consoled by assurances that the bill will only add one percent to the franchise. This caricature highlights both men's skepticism towards each other's motives and intentions regarding parliamentary reform. The use of two faces symbolizes their duplicity and suggests that they may not be entirely trustworthy or transparent in their actions. Through intricate engraving techniques and monochrome aesthetics, this print effectively communicates complex ideas about politics and human nature during this era. It serves as a reminder that even those in positions of power can harbor hidden agendas or display conflicting loyalties. Overall, "The Reform Janus" offers us an insightful glimpse into historical events while reminding us to approach political matters with caution and critical thinking.
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