John Bull and Britannia
Poster
c.1906 (made)
c.1906 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This poster was probably produced during the 1906 General Election, in which the Conservative government was defeated by the Liberal Party. The poster depicts Conservative politicians in a storm-tossed sailboat, with the political issues of the day emerging from the waves. The figures of John Bull and Britannia, who represent Britishness, look on from a clifftop.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | John Bull and Britannia (published title) |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Colour-printed British political poster, c.1906, 'John Bull and Britannia'. |
| Physical description | This poster depicts the allegorical figures of John Bull and Britannia standing on a clifftop. Below them, Conservative politicians including Arthur Balfour and Joseph Chamberlain sit aboard a small sailboat which is being tossed around a stormy sea. The occupants of the boat show signs of distress, while words emerge from the waves which represent the main political problems facing the Conservatives, including 'Chinese Labour' and 'Bye Elections'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | JOHN BULL TO BRITANNIA - "Serve 'em right! They've whistled for the wind and got it!" |
| Credit line | Given by Michael Diamond, in memory of his wife Bell |
| Object history | This poster was probably produced during the 1906 General Election, in support of the Liberal Party and mocking the Conservative goverment. The Liberal Party would subsequently win the election. |
| Summary | This poster was probably produced during the 1906 General Election, in which the Conservative government was defeated by the Liberal Party. The poster depicts Conservative politicians in a storm-tossed sailboat, with the political issues of the day emerging from the waves. The figures of John Bull and Britannia, who represent Britishness, look on from a clifftop. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.553-2015 |
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| Record created | June 18, 2015 |
| Record URL |
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