Contradiction of strange consolation, 1798, London

Contradiction of strange consolation, 1798, London

Image shows a broadsheet illustration in pen and black ink, depicting two white middle-aged men facing each other in the street. The man on the left has his hands in his pockets looking surprised as the man on the right gesticulates during his story. They are dressed in 18th-century period attire including hats and walking canes. Handwritten central text below the image reads 'CONTRADICTION of a STRANGE CONSOLATION' followed by accompanying dialogue [sic]:

'Ah how do Neighbour? Why not very well Ive been married since I saw you last. Married! thats good news indeed. Nay not so good neither for I married a Shrew - thats bad indeed - no not so bad neither for I had £2000 with her - thats well again - no not so well neither I laid it all out in sheep + they died of the rot - That was hard indeed - No not so hard neither for I sold the skins for more than the sheep cost. That made you amends - Not so much amends for I laid out all my money in a house which was burnt - that was a great loss indeed. Nay not so much a loss neither for my wife was burnt in it. LONDON Pub. Oct 10. 1798.'

A satirical caricature penned by the Scottish painter Isaac Cruikshank (1764-1811) and published by Rudolph Ackermann (1764-1834), a German bookseller and publisher operating at 101, Strand in London. Cruikshank became known for his caricatures but also had work exhibited by the Royal Academy. He was considered one of three leading caricaturists of the 18th Century (alongside James Gillray and Thomas Rowlandson), producing many popular sketches satirising contemporary issues which became widespread throughout Europe, recognisable due to his distinctive style. A catalogue by E. B. Crumbier lists approximately 1,350 of his images, of which this is just one.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a "shrew": 

"3.a.c1386–
derogatory. A person, esp. (now only) a woman given to railing or scolding or other perverse or malignant behaviour; frequently a scolding or turbulent wife."

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