Liberty Suspended! With the Bulwark of the Constitution! c. 1817

"Liberty Suspended! With the Bulwark of the Constitution!", a satirical etching by George Cruikshank from c. 1817, depicts a scene of political upheaval in England. The artist, known for his sharp social commentary, uses caricature and symbolism to criticize the suspension of Habeas Corpus during the Napoleonic Wars. The central figure, a judge, stands triumphantly on a platform labeled "British Press," while a woman representing Liberty hangs lifelessly from a gallows. The artwork, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, is a powerful commentary on the state of British politics and the suppression of civil liberties.