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Friends or Foes?, 1876. Artist: Joseph Swain
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Friends or Foes?, 1876. Artist: Joseph Swain
Friends or Foes?, 1876. The British Lion, travelling, meets the Russian Bear, who is armed, at the crossroads. This relates to the recent conflict between Turkey and Bulgaria. Britain had maintained a neutral stance, which led some to fear that Russia would use this to gain a foothold in the East. However, the Emperor of Russia had recently given guarantees that he had no intention of acquiring Constantinople, and that if Russia should occupy any portion of Bulgaria, it would be only to ensure the safety of that countrys Christian population, and on a provisional basis. From Punch, or the London Charivari, December 2, 1876
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Media ID 14831353
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Adversary Bear British Lion Bulgaria Crossroads Enemy Friend Helmet Heritage Image Partnership John Tenniel Joseph Swain Lion Mate Neutrality Rifle Russian Bear Signpost Sir John Tenniel Swain Tenniel Traveller Travelling Turkey Turkish Allegorical Figure
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Friends or Foes?, 1876
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating print that captures the political tensions of its time. Created by Joseph Swain and John Tenniel, this allegorical image depicts the meeting between two powerful nations: Britain and Russia. At a crossroads, the British Lion encounters the Russian Bear who stands armed with a rifle. This scene symbolizes the recent conflict between Turkey and Bulgaria, where Britain had chosen to remain neutral. Many feared that Russia would take advantage of this neutrality to expand its influence in the East. However, there was hope for peace as Emperor Alexander II of Russia had given assurances that he had no intentions of acquiring Constantinople. If any occupation were to occur in Bulgaria, it would solely be for protecting its Christian population on a temporary basis. This satirical cartoon from Punch magazine reflects the concerns and anxieties surrounding these geopolitical events during the late 19th century. The monochrome engraving adds depth to this historical artwork while emphasizing themes of warfare and weaponry. The "Friends or Foes?, 1876" print serves as both an artistic representation and a commentary on international relations at that time. It reminds us of how delicate alliances can be when countries navigate their interests amidst conflicts abroad.
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