“Our Critic among the Pictures” — No. 424 (Elmore) from the 1864 “Fun”

Elmore’s “Excelsior” (No. 424)

William S. Gilbert

Engraving

Fun

Courtesy of the Suzy Covey Comic Book Collection in the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida.

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Criticism of individual paintings

Entire panel

No. 480 (Roberts)

No. 509 (Poynter)

Nos. 30 & 92 (Jennings)

No. 15 (Armitage)

No. 593 (Whistler)

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Commentary from Fun

Mr. Elmore’s “Excelsior” (424) represents that abominable organ-grinder with the sensation[al] head of hair, whom we all know so well, taking an autumnal pleasure trip on the Alps. A suit of scale armour is, of course, the very thing to scale mountains in, and if there is one thing likely to prove more useful to the adventurous tourist than another, it is that flag and maintop-gallant-mast which our young friend carries in his hand. A gigantic eagle is observed flying away in abject terror at the dreadful organist’s supernatural head of hair.

The cartoon is signed with the initials “W.S.G.” at the lower left. This is the Gilbert of Gilbert & Sullivan fame who I assume also wrote the savage critical commentaries that appeared in the right column beside the picture. (To read more of these commentaries, which parody periodical reviews of the Royal Academy and other exhibitions, click on the other individual items in the list below.) — George P. Landow

Bibliography

“Our Critic among the Pictures.” Fun. (14 May 1864): 83-84.

Last modified 2 March 2016