Spotprent op prinses Caroline, 1820 Possibly 1820 - 1826

In 1820, George Cruikshank created this print of Princess Caroline, now held at the Rijksmuseum. This satirical artwork emerges from a period marked by intense scrutiny of the British monarchy and societal anxieties around gender and power. The print, divided into four scenes, critiques Princess Caroline’s perceived violations of feminine virtues. Cruikshank uses labels like "Modesty!", "Dignity!", "Chastity!", and "National Love!" to mock Caroline’s actions, reflecting the moral judgments of the time. Each scene portrays her in ways that challenge conventional expectations of royal women, highlighting the limited roles available to women in public life and the severe consequences for stepping outside those bounds. Caroline's story reveals the personal toll of political machinations, as she was publicly vilified and excluded from royal life. The artist's depiction invites us to consider the human cost of such condemnation, and how societal expectations can be wielded as tools of oppression.