“Mr. Punch” in the Arts: The Drawings of George Cruikshank

Image courtesy of "Through Wooden Eyes"

An illustrator and caricaturist known for his collaborations with Charles Dickens and his sociopolitical cartoons, George Cruikshank (1792-1878) was referred to as “the modern Hogarth.” His caricatures were famous and notorious. In fact, he was once bribed to not draw any more scandalous cartoons of the royal family.

Initially, his friendship with Dickens was productive. Cruikshank illustrated Sketches by Boz (1836), The Mudfog Papers (1837–38) and Oliver Twist (1838). However, the relationship soon turned to animosity when Cruikshank publically claimed to have been the creator of Oliver Twist.

As part of his quest to document the society of the time, Cruikshank often illustrated Mr. Punch and his wife, Judy, during public puppet shows. The results are charming illustrations such as this one depicting Mr. Punch up to his usual antics.

Though not without his share of controversy, Cruikshank did his part in documenting the lifestyle of his day.