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Exeter Election, 1868, "Shakespeare illustrated" No.6, Mephistopheles

Exeter Election, 1868, "Shakespeare illustrated" No.6, Mephistopheles

The Liberals seem to have responded in kind, for on 16 October the Gazette reported scornfully that “our political opponents have issued a lithographed caricature, which they seem to consider a wonderful production; but with every desire to speak kindly of the attempt we cannot call it a creditable work of art. With the exception of two, the portraits are unrecognizable. As a matter of course it is somewhat spiteful, but not more so than might have been expected. To the principal proprietor of this paper it is highly complimentary, representing him as a herculean Arab, able to carry with ease his two partners, and the two Conservative candidates for Exeter….Our friends on the other side are evidently not adepts in matters artistic. They may improve in time, and they must improve vastly before they can equal the superior illustrations that have been issued by the Conservative caricaturist.”

The next “superior illustration” appeared a few days later:

“Perhaps the cleverest and certainly the most significant of the Exeter Election caricatures appeared on Saturday. It represents Mr Coleridge as Mephistopheles – a fancy portrait – and the face and figure are admirably drawn. Mephistopheles is slyly drawing from his satchel a label marked “Papal Ascendancy”, the short sword in his belt is marked “Church Destruction”, and he places his finger on his lip and winks his eye as he shews his trick.”

The Shakespearian motto at the top is from Henry VI, part 2: “Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep” and for good measure there is a misquotation from Hamlet at the foot:

                “To be or not to be, that is the question,

                ‘Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.”

 


Image Details

Date 1868
Year 1868
Place Exeter
County Devon
Medium Lithograph
Format Illustration
Subject Politics
Size 430x536mm
Creator Shakespeare illustrated
Publisher Devon and Somerset Steam Printing Company
Prints and Drawing Number 03570