Maitland's Own n.d.

Aster Chantrey Corbould made this pencil drawing, Maitland's Own, sometime in the 19th century. We might consider this simple sketch to be merely a caricature of a public figure, but it speaks volumes about the cultural role of satire in Victorian England. The exaggerated features, the haughty posture, and the formal attire all contribute to a reading of the figure as pompous. The drawing's likely purpose was to poke fun at a figure of authority. Satire at this time played a crucial role in critiquing social norms and political figures, often appearing in publications that catered to a broad public readership. These publications played a key role in shaping public opinion. To fully understand the context of this work, we might consult periodicals and political cartoons from the period. By looking at these kinds of primary sources we can begin to understand how art actively participates in public discourse, shaping and reflecting the values of its time.