Congressional Pugilists 1798

This print, made in Philadelphia in 1798 by an anonymous artist, depicts a brawl on the floor of Congress. It’s a satire that reveals the intensity of political polarization in the early American Republic. The image creates meaning through visual codes that would have been easily understood at the time. The fight is between Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswold. It references an actual incident, Lyon spitting in Griswold's face, that escalated into a physical altercation. These men were divided by deep ideological differences – Federalists versus Republicans – intensified by events such as the French Revolution. It comments on the social structures of its time by caricaturing the behavior of elected officials. In its depiction of unruly violence, the print challenges the ideal of dignified and rational governance. Understanding this artwork better requires delving into period newspapers, pamphlets, and personal correspondence. It is through historical research that we can understand its social and institutional context.