Catalogue Number
NMLH.2018.171
Object Name
Print
Title
Universal Sufferage or the Scum Uppermost!!!!!
Date
1819
Description
Hand coloured engraving by Georges Cruikshank, printed by George Humphrey, July 1819
The piece was published in July 1819, just one month before the Peterloo Massacre, at a time when only around 2% of the population had the right to vote. The inscription reads "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost !!!!! an Allegory to demonstrate the fatal consequences of 'Radical Reform' in plain English Revolution".
The artwork demonstrates the strength of feeling for reform by the British working class at the time, as well as the strength of resistance from the upper classes:
Humphrey was a printer of Tory work in London, his clientele were mainly the wealthy upper class. The print shows a representation of popular radical reform, which is thought to be tantamount to "revolution". The many headed monster, typical of Cruikshank's work, triumphs over institutions supposedly honoured by the British including royalty, religion, the Magna Carta and the arts. The monster wears the cap of liberty on its tail signifying freedom and the pursuit of liberty. The print is designed to warn people of the fatal consequences the calls for political reform might have on the values, culture and rights the upper class enjoyed.
Cruikshank signed the piece with his initials rather than a full signature, which was often a sign that the artistic statement was that of his employer, not his own political beliefs; at the time he was also producing radical material with William Hone, and he later designed a piece sympathetic to the victims of the Peterloo Massacre. However, we will never know whether he agreed or disagreed with the sentiments here.
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