The Mock Mayor 1875

Robert William Buss painted this scene of revelry, titled 'The Mock Mayor', in nineteenth-century England. The image is full of visual codes that would have been well known at the time. Looking closer, we can see the crowd is mocking a figure, the ‘mayor,’ dressed in absurd garb, including a fool’s hat. He is presented with mock symbols of office, such as cabbages on poles instead of scepters. The figures in the windows of the building behind are better dressed and appear to be observing the scene with amusement. The painting offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of the time, the tension between classes, and the ways in which common folk expressed their feelings about local authority. To fully understand the painting, it is important to research the historical traditions it represents. By consulting period documents, social histories, and even literature, we can better interpret the meaning of this image.