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Two Girls of The Period, 1869. Artist: John Tenniel
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Two Girls of The Period, 1869. Artist: John Tenniel
Two Girls of The Period, 1869. This cartoon shows a fashionable protestant convert to Catholicism looking in horror at the Catholic nun. This is a reference to the Mary Saurin case where a nun had taken action against her convent for having forced her to carry out such menial and manual tasks as scrubbing floors. However, the Protestant faith relied much on a relationship with God based on their works yet, in this cartoon, the convert is shown as interested in little but her clothes and hair. So this picture not only presents a negative view of Catholicism, but a negative view of the shallowness of women of fashion. From Punch, or the London Charivari, February 20, 1869
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Media ID 14831190
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Brush Bucket Cleaning Convent Conversion Crucifix Elegance Elegant Fashion Victim Fashionable Habit Heritage Image Partnership John Tenniel Nunnery Protestant Protestantism Scrubbing Sexism Sexist Sir John Tenniel Soap Tenniel Top Hat Vanity Metaphor Roman Catholicism
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "Two Girls of The Period, 1869" by John Tenniel offers a thought-provoking commentary on the societal and religious dynamics of the time. Depicting a fashionable Protestant convert to Catholicism, the image portrays her in utter horror as she gazes upon a Catholic nun. This satirical cartoon alludes to the infamous Mary Saurin case, where a nun challenged her convent for assigning menial tasks such as scrubbing floors. However, what makes this artwork intriguing is its dual critique - not only does it present a negative view of Catholicism but also highlights the shallowness often associated with women of fashion. In this engraving from Punch magazine, published on February 20th in 1869, Tenniel skillfully captures the convert's preoccupation with materialistic pursuits like clothes and hair rather than focusing on matters of faith or spirituality. By juxtaposing these contrasting elements within one frame, he challenges prevailing stereotypes about both religions and gender roles during that era. The intricate details showcased in this monochrome print further enhance its impact. From elegant Victorian attire to symbolic objects like crucifixes and cleaning tools such as brushes and buckets, every element contributes to conveying deeper meanings embedded within this artwork. Tenniel's "Two Girls of The Period" serves as an enduring testament to his artistic prowess while shedding light on issues such as sexism, religion, social class divisions, and cultural biases prevalent in nineteenth-century society.
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