A Little Nimrod 1882

James Tissot painted "A Little Nimrod" in oils, sometime in the second half of the 19th century. It's a scene of children at play, but the title alerts us to a deeper reading. Nimrod was the first king after the flood in the Book of Genesis. He was known as a mighty hunter, and he built the Tower of Babel in defiance of God. The boy with the sword, wearing a hat made of paper money, is therefore casting himself as a ruler. The other boys are his prey, covered in animal skins. This image would likely have been viewed in relation to debates about British Imperialism, which was at its height when the picture was painted. It can be seen as both a celebration of British power and a critique of its violence. To understand it better, we need to consult historical sources, from children's books to political cartoons. What we discover will tell us much about the social and institutional context of this fascinating image.