Koningin Victoria en Koning Lodewijk Filips dansen de vredesdans Possibly 1844

John Doyle created this lithograph, titled "Queen Victoria and King Louis-Philippe Dancing the Dance of Peace", sometime in the 1840s. It presents a satirical view of international relations through the popular dance of the time, the polka. Doyle uses the visual language of caricature to comment on the political climate. Queen Victoria and King Louis-Philippe, figures of significant political power, are depicted in a dance, symbolizing diplomatic relations between England and France. It's worth noting the other dancers in the background; skeletons dancing with uniformed men. A not-so-subtle nod to the ever-present spectre of war and political instability. This work reflects the cultural obsession with peace and stability. It's a commentary on the performance of diplomacy, and the fragility of peace in a world haunted by the recent Napoleonic wars. To fully understand this image, one needs to delve into the political cartoons of the period, as well as diplomatic history of England and France in the 1840s. Only then can we appreciate the nuances of Doyle's critique of the political status quo.