Caricature and the Navy During the 18th Century

[anteros_lmc]

This isn't just an excuse to post a pic of eglantine_br's favourite Thomas Rowlandson print, it's advance notice of a one day course being run by the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich on Caricature and the Navy During the 18th Century on the 16th of August.



The course blurb read as follows:

During the 18th century, Britain’s security, economy and national identity rested more than ever before upon the Royal Navy. As such, the Navy assumed an unprecedented importance in the popular imagination of the period.

This age of near-continuous naval engagement coincided with a particularly fruitful period in the history of British graphic satire, when caricature developed into a highly sophisticated art form – typically representing contemporary political and military events with an acerbic wit and a journalistic concern for current affairs. This course will explore the interdisciplinary nature of caricature, bridging naval history and visual culture through the collections of the National Maritime Museum, led by two of its curators. Often published within days of the events they depict, caricatures intervened directly in the formation of public opinion by trading with national stereotypes, government policy, and emerging notions of celebrity and heroism.

The course will explore the political and cultural history of the Navy through the lens of contemporary caricature, encompassing the Seven Years War, the American War of Independence and the wars against Revolutionary and Napoleonic France. In doing so, it will highlight the historical and continuing contemporary relevance of political caricature and graphic satire.

The course will be led by Dr James Davey, Research Curator in Naval and Maritime History and Dr Richard Johns, Curator of Prints and Drawings at the National Maritime Museum and costs £55. Further details can be found here.

Cross posted to anything_aos

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Oh I wish I could go...

And I do like this print.

So many little details: The wine glass and the beer mug-- was the wine for the client, I wonder? The boredom of the dog, the fact that they are all wearing hats! Those hats must have been jammed on there pretty good...

And i like the detail of the young man's face in the foreground. (Although his face looks like his best feature. Not much else there to recommend!)

Funny too, how tastes change regarding the female form. To our eyes now, they seem not some ideal, but kind of ample. The one in the back has a sweet face. I like her better than miss foreground, she is at least looking at her sailor. (Although I am a little worried her socks will fall down!)

I would be interested to see if the lecture presented this as some complicated political comment. the picture seems quite straightforward to me. Maybe there are deep hidden messages. Do you think I need to examine more pictures, more closely?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I would love to go too! Maybe mylodon or nodbear will be able to go and report back :}

And I do like this print.
You do? I would never have guessed! XD It is great isn't it?!

his face looks like his best feature. Not much else there to recommend!
Ooh you are a harsh woman!

I like Thomas Rowlandson's women, they often look like they're having fun! Although yes, I do wonder how they keep their stockings up.

Do you think I need to examine more pictures, more closely?
*nods* Yes indeed. I feel sure that closer examination will lead to deeper understanding of the socio-political factors impacting on the navy in the late 18th century ;)

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

That dog certainly does look bored. :)
The women probably wear garters tied at the knee to keep their stockings up.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

That dog definitely has a seen-it-all-before air about him doesn't he?

The women probably wear garters tied at the knee to keep their stockings up.
I worry about them cutting off the circulation behind their knees!

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

So does your icon of Archie!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I think we can safely assume that Archie has indeed seen it all! ;)

[legume-shadow.livejournal.com]

Very interesting...too bad I'll only be visiting London and the museum as a tourist in August and leaving that day. >.< I hope someone will post a report. Any recommendations on exhibits in the museum to see?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Oh noes! What a shame you'll just miss it. Have a great time at the museum! Sadly I have never been myself as I live at the other end of the country and have a small person to look after. I travel to London for work fairly regularly but I have never had time to go to Greenwich :( One of these days I will make it though!