There will be much of George Cruikshank, caricaturist and printmaker coming up, but I felt this one deserved to be on its own, given the sheer amount of very weird detail. There seems to be an implication of witchery and/or paganism here. Interestingly, this one was one of the ones designed by Frederick Marryat, a British naval officer, and author. It’s interesting to note that In 1839, Marryat also published his Diary in America, a travelogue that reflects his criticisms of American culture and society. The book and the author were both subject to acts of violence, including the burning of the book and of Marryat’s effigy in public. It can be read for free at the link provided; I note that the e-books are also available through Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
There’s an astonishing amount of detail here. Note the painting hanging on the wall – an assault in progress. That earns a WTF? Then the Goddess detail on the mantel, with the dogs. Peacock feathers on the mantel, too. They were associated with witches, particularly those with healing arts. Then there’s the cat and dog, and screaming parrot, with the mouse in between. And what appears to be a Buddha on the mantel, and so. much. more. Click for full size!
Her hat is catchig fire from the candle.
She is missing the cauldon with the spoon and spilling it into the fireplace.
There are two cats in the picture (three if you count the picture), and two dogs, both smaller than the cats.
Amazing level of detail.
Amazing artwork, thank you for bringing it to our attention.
I will need to look at it after sleeping, tho. All I can see after a day of lab work is: GAH!! The whole room is a fire hazard deathtrap! Someone get that person out of there!
Charly it’s either three cats and two dogs or three dogs and two cats (that I have seen), something is disappearing under her skirts, then there is the cat chasing the mouse and the one in the cage below the picture (not sure if that one is alive or stuffed?), along with the dogs one in the basket and the one looking at the mouse, It’s interesting that the dogs are both recognisable breeds.
My history teacher used Cruikshank a lot as he is so good at illustrating particular issues and the various attitudes to them. He is far more vicious than people think older artists will be, as if satire was only invented recently.
What is going on in the hunting scene on front of the mantle?
Jazzlet:
I couldn’t figure that out either.
There’s also the oddness of the woman having a more male featured face, compleat with mustache. There’s also an insect or spider on her face.
Caine
I assumed that was a hairy mole to match the one on her chin and make her all the more witch-like
Could be, but it looks like it has legs.
The title inspired me to make cornbread.
It turned out quite nicely.
Well, that’s a positive result! :D
This is amazing but I am with avalus, brain too tired right now for this level of detail! :D
The painting on the wall just freaks me out, though. WTF indeed. Also not sure why she only has one shoe on or what is behind the other shoe. Kind of looks like a syringe to me.
So much detail, without your hints I would have missed most of it. Boggles the mind a bit.
Also: could be a bug on her face. Or a wart for added witchyness.
Nightjar, I think her shoe is off because that is the foot with corns.
It took me an embarrassingly long time to find the third cat. I thought that was a drawing of a cat, not a cage.