Pyrrhus Arrives in Italy with his Troupe 

John Leech, a leading British caricaturist, likely made this engraving, titled *Pyrrhus Arrives in Italy with his Troupe,* for the popular magazine *Punch,* sometime in the mid-19th century. Leech was known for his satirical illustrations of contemporary life and political events. This image, though set in ancient times, undoubtedly speaks to Leech’s own era. Look at the elaborate costumes and the procession's pomp, reminiscent of Victorian spectacles and imperial displays. Leech uses caricature to playfully critique the self-importance of power. The figure of Pyrrhus, atop his horse, seems almost comical, a far cry from the heroic image one might expect. The elephants in the background hint at the exoticism and the heavy cost, both human and material, associated with military campaigns. Do you notice the reactions of the onlookers? Leech subtly invites us to question the narratives of glory and conquest often presented by those in power. This print suggests that behind the spectacle of military might lie complex and perhaps less glorious realities.