The Best of Friends Must Part 1873 - 1883

Sir John Tenniel made this drawing called 'The Best of Friends Must Part', but its date is unknown. The artwork depicts a formal handshake between a woman dressed in what looks like Native American attire and a man in military uniform. Tenniel was a famous cartoonist for 'Punch' magazine in England. The image could be a satirical comment on the relationship between colonial powers and indigenous populations. Perhaps Tenniel is using the visual codes of clothing and gesture to critique Victorian society's romanticized and condescending view of other cultures. The handshake, though a symbol of agreement, is fraught with the power dynamics of colonialism. Understanding this image requires us to look into the visual culture of 19th-century England. To get a better understanding we might examine cartoons, political pamphlets, and literature from the time. This can help us understand the social and institutional contexts that gave this work meaning.