Aanslag op koningin Victoria, 1840 1840

This print by Dean & Munday depicts the assassination attempt on Queen Victoria in 1840. The central motif is the act of violence itself, a man firing a pistol at the Queen. The gun, a symbol of power and aggression, becomes a focal point. Images of guns appear in ancient art across cultures, as weapons in battle scenes, as well as symbols of authority. In Greek art, the spear of Achilles represents heroic might, and in the Renaissance, firearms often symbolize the evolving dynamics of power. This symbol, laden with aggression, echoes through centuries, evolving in form but consistent in its psychological impact. Here, in Victorian England, the act carries not only physical danger but also a threat to the established order. The artist captures not just the event, but also the collective anxiety it incites. This image taps into a deeper, shared fear of societal breakdown and the vulnerability of even the most powerful figures.