Drawing for ‘Punch’ 

Curator: Here we have Charles Keene's "Drawing for 'Punch'". It resides here at the Tate Collections. Editor: It's a sketch, quick and immediate. I get the sense of a crowded room, perhaps a social gathering, with a military figure present. Curator: Keene was a prominent illustrator for 'Punch' magazine, known for his keen observations of Victorian society, often satirizing class distinctions. Editor: The swift strokes and minimal shading suggest the urgency of capturing a fleeting moment, a glimpse into a world defined by rigid social rituals and gendered expectations. Curator: Exactly. The women seem almost uniform, while the man stands out, perhaps commenting on gender roles and military presence. Editor: Seeing the hand of the artist so clearly invites us to consider the labor involved in creating these images for mass consumption. Curator: Keene’s work provides a window into the era’s social fabric, inviting us to question the power dynamics at play. Editor: Absolutely. This piece makes me consider the economic drivers behind art and what gets made, and seen.