Sheet of Sketches with Self-Portrait n.d.

This pencil sketch was created by George Cruikshank, a British artist well known for his caricatures and illustrations. This sketch offers a glimpse into the artist’s process and the social context in which he worked. Cruikshank lived and worked during a time of significant social and political change in Britain. The late 18th and early 19th centuries were marked by the Industrial Revolution, urbanization, and political reform movements. As a caricaturist, Cruikshank often commented on the social issues of his day, including poverty, inequality, and political corruption. His work appeared in popular publications and prints, making it accessible to a wide audience. To understand this sketch more fully, one might delve into the history of British printmaking, political satire, and the social issues that Cruikshank addressed in his art.