"Preparing for the Pantomime" 1836 - 1864

"Preparing for the Pantomime" is a humorous watercolor sketch by English artist John Leech, famous for his satirical cartoons. Created between 1836 and 1864, the artwork depicts a man with an exaggeratedly long nose being painted by another figure. This playful depiction captures the lighthearted spirit of pantomime performances, a popular form of entertainment in Victorian England, emphasizing the artist's use of caricature and exaggeration to create a comical scene. The sketch, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, exemplifies Leech's talent for capturing the essence of social life and theatrical entertainment in his art.