June - Striking a Balance from George Cruikshank's Steel Etchings to The Comic Almanacks: 1835-1853 c. 1840 - 1880

George Cruikshank made this steel etching, titled ‘June - Striking a Balance,’ for the Comic Almanack, a popular British periodical. The image captures a chaotic scene, a mock battle surrounding what seems to be a young couple. The Almanack was a yearly publication that provided astronomical and calendrical data, along with entertaining content. Cruikshank’s illustrations offered social commentary on contemporary life. In this print, the struggle to ‘strike a balance’ likely refers to the challenges of marriage and social expectations, particularly for young couples of the time. The exaggerated expressions and farcical conflict satirize courtship rituals and societal pressures. The surrounding crowd, some cheering and others seemingly injured, adds to the sense of pandemonium and questions the traditional ideals of marriage. To fully understand this image, one might delve into Victorian social customs, gender roles, and popular entertainment. By examining these cultural references, the artwork reveals itself as a critical reflection on the institution of marriage and its place within Victorian society.