Mr. Alexander Campbell, Organist, Conducting Three Braying Asses 1782

John Kay, an Edinburgh caricaturist, created this print of Mr. Alexander Campbell sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The print satirizes Campbell, a prominent organist, by depicting him conducting a trio of braying asses. This caricature can be interpreted as a commentary on the Scottish musical scene of Kay’s time. It uses visual codes to critique the institutions of art and those who control them. The print’s humor derives from the contrast between Campbell’s serious demeanor and the ridiculousness of his orchestra. His inflated figure and elaborate clothing also suggest a critique of the pretensions of the upper classes. The location might be significant too, as it includes thistles which are a symbol of Scotland. To fully understand this print, we need to understand the social and institutional context in which it was made. We could research Campbell’s career, the musical tastes of the Edinburgh elite, and the conventions of caricature in this period. Only then can we appreciate the full force of Kay’s satire.