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Cartoon, Specimens from Mr Punchs Industrial Exhibition
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Cartoon, Specimens from Mr Punchs Industrial Exhibition
Cartoon, Specimens from Mr Punchs Industrial Exhibition of 1850 (to be improved in 1851). A satire on the forthcoming Great Exhibition, under the leadership of Prince Albert. Demonstrating his social conscience, Mr Punch is pointing out to the Prince the realities of an industrial society for working people -- an industrious needlewoman, a labourer aged 75, a distressed shoemaker, and a sweater, all contained as exhibits in glass-domed cases. Date: 1850
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Media ID 23358478
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1850 1850s Comment Conditions Satire Satirical Specimens System Awareness
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This cartoon print, titled "Specimens from Mr Punch's Industrial Exhibition of 1850 (to be improved in 1851)," offers a satirical commentary on the upcoming Great Exhibition, spearheaded by Prince Albert in Britain during the 1850s. The cartoon, published in 1850, showcases Mr Punch, a popular character from Victorian puppet shows, leading Prince Albert through an exhibition of his own. In contrast to the grandeur of the Great Exhibition, Mr Punch's exhibition highlights the harsh realities of industrial society for the working class. In the foreground, Mr Punch points out to the Prince exhibits contained in glass-domed cases. The first case displays an industrious needlewoman, diligently working on a piece of fabric. Next to her, an elderly labourer of 75 years old, hunched over and weary, represents the physical toll of labor. A distressed shoemaker, with a disheveled appearance and a pile of unsold shoes, symbolizes the economic struggles of the working class. Lastly, a sweater, presumably a child, is shown in a cramped and dark corner, highlighting the deplorable working conditions. This satirical work serves as a poignant reminder of the social and economic disparities that existed during the 19th century. The cartoon not only raises awareness about the plight of the working class but also challenges the political and class system of the time. By juxtaposing the glamour of the Great Exhibition with the harsh realities of industrial life, Mr Punch's Industrial Exhibition offers a thought-provoking commentary on the state of society during the Victorian era.
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