Spotprent op Lord Ashley Possibly 1844 - 1845

John Doyle created this print of Lord Ashley, sometime in the early to mid-19th century, using etching. Here, the British politician Lord Ashley is satirized through an unusual assemblage of animals, each bearing a human face. This was a time when the graphic press was expanding and there was a growing demand for political satire. Doyle created his prints during a time of great social and political upheaval in England. He’s tapping into a long history of animal symbolism to poke fun at the powerful. The image suggests that Ashley's "happy family" is actually a bizarre menagerie, highlighting perceived hypocrisy and the often cutthroat nature of politics. As historians, we can look to sources such as newspapers, political pamphlets, and personal letters from the period to understand the references, and the context of the political landscape. Doyle's cartoon reminds us that art is always embedded in a specific time and place.