John Bulls nachtmerrie c. 1828

"John Bull's Night Mare," created by Robert Seymour in 1828, is a satirical print that uses caricature to comment on the social and political anxieties of the time. The figure of John Bull, a personification of England, lies in bed, tormented by a variety of figures representing different threats to national stability, such as the Catholic Church, national debt, and foreign policy. The work is a prime example of political cartooning, a genre that flourishes during times of societal upheaval and offers a unique visual commentary on contemporary issues. It now resides in the Rijksmuseum, a testament to its historical and artistic significance.