British-russian Geopolitical Satirical Lithograph, 1885
The figure with the high collar and sideburns represents the British Prime Minister of the time, William Gladstone. The bear is the traditional symbol of the Russian Empire in Western political satire.
In 1885, Russia annexed the Panjdeh oasis near the Afghan border and threatened to seize Herat, which the British considered the “key to India.” Faced with the threat of a Sino-Anglo-Russian war, Gladstone’s government negotiated a diplomatic compromise (the “arrangement”) to delineate Afghanistan’s northern borders and avoid direct armed conflict with Russia.
This illustration criticizes Gladstone’s foreign policy, which was viewed as too pacifist, naïve, or hesitant in the face of Russian expansionism. The caricature ironically suggests that Gladstone believes he is “calling the shots” or controlling the Russian bear with the help of a simple agreement on paper (Arrangement), while the bear makes noise and continues to advance toward the strategic borders of India and Afghanistan.
Period: 19th century
Style: English Style
Condition: Condition of use
Material: Paper
Length: 36 cm
Width: 36 cm
Reference (ID): 1821637
Availability: In stock
