George Cruikshank
The OP Spectacles
Engraving on paper 60×48 cm
€ 240
RP813Q
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This work is not an original. It is a high-quality canvas print. It is therefore not delivered with an authentication document. It can be supplied in a different frame and size.
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George Cruikshank
George Cruikshank (1792–1878) was a British caricaturist and illustrator, renowned for his sharp social and political satires. Born in London, he followed in his father Isaac Cruikshank’s footsteps, creating vivid etchings and cartoons that lampooned Regency-era society, politicians, and cultural trends.
His early work included caricatures of Napoleon and British royalty, gaining him fame for his wit and detailed style. Cruikshank illustrated Charles Dickens’ Sketches by Boz and Oliver Twist, bringing vivid life to Dickens’ characters, though their collaboration later soured over creative differences.
A fervent advocate for temperance, he produced works like The Bottle and The Drunkard’s Children, highlighting alcohol’s societal toll. His later years saw a shift to book illustration and moralistic art, though his popularity waned. Cruikshank’s legacy endures in his influential visual storytelling and keen social commentary.
About this work
The artwork “The OP Spectacles”, created in 1809, is a satirical caricature depicting a man with exaggeratedly large glasses, each lens marked with the letters “O” and “P.” The man, with a surprised or alarmed expression, is dressed in period clothing, featuring a high collar and a cravat. Each circle contains a symmetrical view of Covent Garden Theatre seen from the stage.
The illustration uses soft colours, such as shades of blue and yellow, and reflects Cruikshank’s typical style, known for his social and political critiques in the 19th century. The piece likely mocks a distorted vision or misguided perception, possibly in a political or social context of the time.
The technique used, known as etching with hand-colouring, was very common during Cruikshank’s time, especially for caricatures and political cartoons. It allowed artists to produce multiple copies of their work for wide distribution in newspapers, magazines, or as standalone prints, making satire accessible to a broader audience in the Georgian and Regency eras. Cruikshank, like contemporaries such as James Gillray, relied on this method to quickly disseminate their sharp social and political commentary.
Note – This reproduction is printed on 400gsm 100% cotton canvas, identical to what painters use, so it resembles an original work of art. The prints are made using the Giclée process, which creates gallery-quality works.
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