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Cartoon, A Friend at Court (John Bright)
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Cartoon, A Friend at Court (John Bright)
Cartoon, A Friend at Court -- a satirical comment on the radical Liberal MP John Bright, a Quaker (hence the friend pun), who had recently obtained a Cabinet position (President of the Board of Trade) in the newly elected Liberal government. It was reported that he had visited Queen Victoria at Windsor and gone through the usual ceremony of kissing her hand on his appointment. He is shown here dressed in a courtly ministerial costume, as worn at the time on special occasions. Date: 1868
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Media ID 23361486
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1868 Breeches Bright Comment Election Friend Friends Liberal Plump Punch Quaker Radical Satire Satirical Tenniel Tight Whig 1860s
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A Friend at Court: Satirical Comment on John Bright's Appointment as President of the Board of Trade (1868) This intriguing cartoon, titled "A Friend at Court," offers a satirical take on the recent appointment of John Bright, the radical Liberal MP and Quaker, to the position of President of the Board of Trade in the newly elected Liberal government. The cartoon, published in Punch magazine in 1868, was created by the renowned British satirical artist, John Tenniel. Bright, a prominent figure in Victorian politics, was known for his radical views and unwavering commitment to his beliefs, particularly his Quaker faith. The cartoonist playfully puns on Bright's Quaker affiliation, referring to him as "A Friend," a term used by Quakers to address one another. The image depicts Bright, dressed in a courtly ministerial costume, complete with tight breeches and a plump, voluminous dress, paying his respects to Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle. The satirical tone is evident in the exaggerated, comical portrayal of Bright's attire, which contrasts sharply with his usual Quaker garb. The caption beneath the image reads, "A Friend at Court," highlighting the irony of Bright's new role in the government, which required him to adhere to the formal, traditional courtly customs of the time. The cartoon serves as a commentary on the political landscape of the late 1860s in Britain, poking fun at the contrast between Bright's radical political beliefs and his new, more conventional role within the government.
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