A Good Pennyworth from George Cruikshank's Steel Etchings to The Comic Almanacks: 1835-1853 (top left) c. 1848 - 1880

George Cruikshank created this steel etching as part of his illustrations for "The Comic Almanacks" between 1835 and 1853. Cruikshank was a leading caricaturist in Britain during a period of great social and political change. The image is a collection of satirical scenes commenting on various aspects of British life. We see critiques of fashion, leisure, philanthropy, and social customs. These images use visual codes to expose the absurdities and hypocrisies of the time. For instance, the scene titled "The Universal Philanthropist" presents a critical view of charity, hinting at the self-serving motives behind acts of generosity. Cruikshank's work reflects the social conditions of 19th-century Britain, marked by industrialization, urbanization, and class divisions. His prints were widely circulated and consumed by a public eager for social commentary. To fully understand this artwork, we can consult period newspapers, political pamphlets, and other visual ephemera, all providing context and historical associations. The meaning of art lies in these social and institutional settings.