Antique Image of the Day: Judy's Revenge, Eighteenth Century

Hand-colored engraving
Eighteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This engraving was hand-colored with watercolors.  Printed in the late Eighteenth Century, the print depicts a scene from the famous puppet play.  In these Eighteenth Century versions, very often, Judy is shown as the initial aggressor in their marriage.  It is Judy’s beating and bullying which prompts Mr. Punch’s violence in these versions.  We see such a display on Judy’s part here as she raises the stick to beat her husband.

It’s impossible to say who the artist for this work was, and equally difficult to place the publisher.  However, it is most certainly from England. 

The card, part of the V&A’s George Speaight Archive, is one of a complete set showing scenes from the traditional show alongside imprinted information of the era about the growing phenomenon of the puppet play.