George Cruikshank
1792-1878
The Modern Guy Faux
ca. 1868
9 x 14 inches (229 x 356 mm)
Graphite on paper.
1986.2064
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
Notes
Title from item.
Sketch by Cruikshank for a political cartoon attacking statesman John Bright, executed some time after the passage of the Reform of 1867 and evidently never published.
Watermark: Joynson 1868.
Sketch by Cruikshank for a political cartoon attacking statesman John Bright, executed some time after the passage of the Reform of 1867 and evidently never published.
Watermark: Joynson 1868.
Inscriptions/Markings
Signed by the artist, "D. Dark invt", in graphite at lower left; caption in pencil reads, "The Modern Guy Faux"; instructions in pencil at right read, "Reverse it if you like-I think it would be best to do so - Do not let anyone see this sketch - and I shall want it back when you have done with it. If it cannot be published by itself, some of the "Punch" books who are opposed to Mr. B. might take it, but mind the name of Ck must not in any way be put to it."
Summary
Drawing shows Guy Fawkes in a cellar, holding his lantern to a niche in the wall labeled, "House of Lords" above; within are barrels variously marked "Universal suffrage & No nobility", Yankee Doodle Mob Law", "Free Liberty Every One to do as he Likes", "Sophistry", "Ignorance", and "Humbug". Guy "Faux" exclaims, "Nobody will know me in this mask--Oh! This is a Bright idea, & if I can but get my Bright light to act with full force upon the middle barrel at the bottom [i.e. Ignorance] ... won't there be a blow up!!! - but oh dear me! Suppose I should be blown up myself?!".
Associated names
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.
Bibliography
Reproduction: Ray, Gordon N. The illustrator and the book in England from 1790 to 1914. New York ; London : Oxford University Press, 1976, p. 73.
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Catalog link
Department