Change for a Sovereign - an Anticipated Pantomime from George Cruikshank's Steel Etchings to The Comic Almanacks: 1835-1853 (top left) c. 1844 - 1880

George Cruikshank's etching "Change for a Sovereign" satirizes the Victorian art world. The print, created between 1844 and 1880, features four distinct vignettes, each capturing the absurdity of artistic trends and social conventions. The top left panel mocks a theatrical performance, while the top right satirizes a large, bombastic painting. The bottom left depicts a scene at the Royal Academy, highlighting the shallowness and pretentiousness of art critics and artists, while the bottom right presents a humorous critique of artistic techniques and trends. Cruikshank, known for his sharp wit and social commentary, uses his signature style of detailed etching to highlight the absurdity of his subjects. This satirical work, currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, provides a glimpse into the Victorian art world through a humorous and critical lens.