Death of the Property Tax!! c. 1816

George Cruikshank created this print, "Death of the Property Tax!!", sometime in the 1800s using etching and aquatint. Immediately, the eye is drawn to the tumultuous scene of symbolic figures in combat. Note how Cruikshank uses caricature to amplify emotional and political commentary. The central monster, representing the property tax, is depicted with multiple heads and serpentine features, embodying the perceived hydra-headed nature of taxation. This creature is attacked by a British lion, symbolizing national strength, while figures representing political leaders deliver the final blows with documents labeled "Majority of the People." The linear quality of the etching emphasizes the chaotic energy of the scene, while aquatint provides tonal depth, highlighting the grotesque details of the monster. Cruikshank destabilizes established meanings by portraying the demise of the property tax not as a rational policy change, but as a heroic act of national liberation. The print challenges fixed notions of governance and representation, suggesting that popular will, as expressed through the actions of symbolic figures, can overthrow oppressive structures.