Home > Arts > Artists > T > John Tenniel
The Service Franchise, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
The Service Franchise, 1884. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Service Franchise, 1884. The footman complains to the maid that household servants were not going to be recognised with the right to vote. This relates to the recently introduced Franchise Bill. Gladstones Liberal government had started work on this matter after pressure from the Radicals, and it proposed the creation of a new franchise for those occupying lands or tenements worth £ 10 a year or more. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 15, 1884
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 14831859
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Footman Heritage Image Partnership John Tenniel Joseph Swain Liberal Party Maid Radical Radicalism Servant Service Industry Sir John Tenniel Swain Tenniel Complaint Franchise Bill
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> Related Images
> Arts
> Artists
> T
> John Tenniel
> Arts
> Artists
> W
> John White
> Arts
> Minimalist artwork
> Monochrome artwork
> Fine art
> Arts
> Minimalist artwork
> Monochrome artwork
> Monochrome paintings
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Politics
> Related Images
EDITORS COMMENTS
The Service Franchise, 1884: A Glimpse into the Struggles of Household Servants in the 19th Century". This print by Joseph Swain takes us back to the year 1884, offering a unique insight into the challenges faced by household servants during that era. In this satirical cartoon from Punch, or the London Charivari, we witness a footman engaged in an animated conversation with a maid. The footman's disgruntled expression suggests his frustration over household servants being denied their right to vote. During this period, Gladstone's Liberal government was under pressure from Radical groups advocating for electoral reform. As a response, they introduced the Franchise Bill which aimed to create new voting rights for individuals owning lands or tenements worth £10 or more per year. This bill became a topic of intense debate and discussion within political circles. Swain's artwork masterfully captures both the essence of this political issue and its impact on everyday people like these two servants. Dressed in their respective uniforms, they represent different facets of service industry roles prevalent at that time. Through this monochrome engraving, Swain skillfully combines caricature and satire to shed light on societal inequalities and highlight how certain professions were excluded from participating in important democratic processes. As we observe this heritage image partnership between Swain's artistic vision and John Tenniel's editorial guidance (as seen through his involvement with Punch), we are reminded of how art can serve as a powerful tool for social commentary even centuries later.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.