Spotprent met drie Lords in rollen uit Macbeth 1845 - 1847

This lithograph by John Doyle, dating from the early 19th century, depicts three Lords from Shakespeare’s Macbeth in caricature. Doyle was a famous political cartoonist, creating satirical prints under the pseudonym HB. He frequently took inspiration from popular culture, such as the theatre. Here, the artist uses the visual codes of Shakespeare’s famous play to comment on the social structures of his own time. The figures are recognizable as Scottish lords because of their traditional Highland dress, complete with kilts and sporrans. These Scottish references would have resonated with Doyle’s audience, who may have interpreted them as a commentary on contemporary British politics. The artist may have even been satirizing particular politicians of the time by portraying them as characters from Macbeth. To find out more about this artwork, one could research the political and theatrical landscape of 19th-century Britain. Understanding its original social and institutional context helps us better appreciate its meaning today.