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John In A Mess, 1864. Artist: John Tenniel
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John In A Mess, 1864. Artist: John Tenniel
John In A Mess, 1864. Britannia says: Put Down That Pen Directly, You Troublesome Boy. A Nice Mess You Have Got Yourself Into! At the time the very confusing Schleswig-Holstein issue came to prominence, Lord Russell was Foreign Secretary. He had made efforts to quieten the situation, but both he, and Palmerston, had little understanding of the changes that were starting to take place in Germany and Denmark and their mishandling of the whole diplomatic process attracted much criticism in the British press. Here, Mrs Britannia, housewife, scolds the child Russell for the mess he has created in her drawing-room. From Punch, or the London Charivari, February 27, 1864
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Media ID 14830648
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1st Earl Russell Of Kingston Russell Afraid Alarm Angry Bookshelf Britannia Document Foreign Secretary Frighten Frightened Frightening Helmet Henry John Henry John Temple Heritage Image Partnership Holstein Housewife John Russell John Tenniel Living Room Lord Lord John Lord John Russell Lord Palmerston Lord Russell Mess Naughty Palmerston Papers Russell Scared Schleswig Schleswig Holstein Scold Sir John Tenniel Tenniel Treaty Viscount Palmerston Allegorical Figure Aristocrat
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this print titled "John In A Mess, 1864" artist John Tenniel brilliantly captures the political chaos surrounding the Schleswig-Holstein issue in 19th century Britain. The image portrays Mrs Britannia, a symbol of British power and authority, scolding Lord Russell, the Foreign Secretary at that time, for his mishandling of the diplomatic process. The Schleswig-Holstein issue was a complex international affair involving Germany and Denmark. Lord Russell and Prime Minister Palmerston's lack of understanding regarding the changing dynamics in these countries drew significant criticism from the British press. This cartoon-like depiction showcases Mrs Britannia as an angry housewife reprimanding a mischievous child who has created havoc in her drawing-room. Tenniel's satirical engraving highlights not only the confusion surrounding this political situation but also criticizes those in power who failed to grasp its complexities. With attention to detail, he includes elements such as books on a shelf representing literature and knowledge while emphasizing Lord Russell's occupation with documents and pens. Through this artwork, Tenniel cleverly conveys how Britain found itself entangled in an international mess due to poor decision-making by its leaders. The print serves as both a historical document capturing a specific moment in time and as social commentary on politics during that era. Overall, "John In A Mess" is an intriguing visual representation that sheds light on the consequences of inadequate diplomacy while showcasing Tenniel's artistic talent for satire and caricature.
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