September - Plucking a Goose from George Cruikshank's Steel Etchings to The Comic Almanacks: 1835-1853 c. 1839 - 1880

George Cruikshank created this steel etching entitled ‘September - Plucking a Goose’ for The Comic Almanacks sometime between 1835 and 1853. It depicts a domestic scene with satirical undertones. The process of steel etching involves covering a polished steel plate with an acid-resistant ground, through which the artist scratches an image. Immersing the plate in acid then bites into the exposed lines, which, once inked, can be printed. This method allowed for detailed and durable prints, well-suited to the mass production of images during the rise of print culture in the 19th century. Cruikshank’s choice of etching reflects the growing accessibility of visual media. The print's sharp lines and intricate details offer a glimpse into the social life of the time, laden with commentary on class and social behaviour. The labor-intensive nature of etching, contrasts with the mass production of the print itself. Examining the materials and making of "September - Plucking a Goose" encourages us to consider the intersection of craft, commerce, and social critique in Victorian England.