La Poule Possibly 1817

George Cruikshank made this print, La Poule, in London, likely in the 1810s or 20s. It depicts a dance scene and is etched and hand-colored. Cruikshank was a famous caricaturist during the Regency Era, well known for his satirical prints mocking the elite. At this time, prints were a popular medium for circulating social and political commentary. The print trade was largely market-driven, with printmakers selling their work in shops and responding to the interests of their clientele. Here, we see the artist turning his critical eye towards contemporary social customs, in particular the popularity of French dances among the British upper classes. By exaggerating the figures’ gestures and expressions, Cruikshank pokes fun at the perceived ridiculousness and artificiality of such social gatherings. To understand the print’s meanings and insinuations, we need to research the dance trends of the period, the social politics of Anglo-French relations, and the role of prints in shaping public opinion. Art is always embedded in, and responsive to, its cultural and institutional contexts.