“Hard Times or, O Dear What shall we do. O dear what shall become of us?!!”

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Creator

G. Cruikshank

Title

“Hard Times or, O Dear What shall we do. O dear what shall become of us?!!”

Coverage

London

Publisher

T. Tegg, Cheapside

Date

Feby 10th, 1814

Description

In London, unemployed workers would walk the streets with the tools of their trade asking for alms. Between an unusually hard frost in February 1814 and the long war with France, British resources were strained. Here, the procession is led by gardeners, apothecaries and two artists, Cruikshank holding aloft a palette, portfolio, brushes, and a large document: “Mr West’s Speech on the Gloomy State of the Arts,” the other is the painter Benjamin West. A paper inscribed “Poor Shanks fect” at Cruikshank’s feet serves as signature to the print. Napoleon with a rope round his neck is dragged by a demon carrying a pole with an eagle on which sits his baby son, the King of Rome. Four prostitutes follow, ending with the undertakers.

Relation

From the collection of Josephine Lea Iselin.