Browse Items (203 total)

In this first painting of Hogarth's Marriage A-La-Mode satirical series, Hogarth critiques the transactional nature of aristocratic marriage through dense layers of symbolism. The figures are positioned like chess pieces in a business deal to expose…

John Gay's The Beggar's Opera uses caricature and parody to mock the corruption of both the upper class and the criminal underworld. Instead of noble heroes or virtuous leaders, Gay presents a world where thieves and politicians are barely…

The Licensing Act of 1737 marked the beginning of a formal system of theatrical censorship in Britain. It effectively silenced oppositional voices on the stage. It gave the state the power to shut down productions, edit scripts, and blacklist…

This is a poem excerpt from a 1722 newspaper. It includes a political call to action against the Stamp Act of 1712, stating, "No Stamp, no Track of Acts like these remain." Most people are familiar with the Stamp Act of 1765, but the Stamp Act of…

This satirical print, titled "Reformation- or the Wonderful Effects of a Proclamation!!!" mocks King George III's 1787 Royal Proclamation for the Encouragement of Piety and Virtue. The proclamation aimed to restore public morality and suppress vice…

Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) stroll together as part of a probate, a ceremony introducing new members. Members wear matching dresses in the AKA colors, Salmon Pink and Apple Green, as well as sunglasses and pearls, both symbols of the…

Members of Omega Phi Beta's National Step Team the Soul Steppin' Divas are lined up performing at a step competition.

This recreation of the iconic Saturday Night Live stage at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago illustrates how modern satirical performance continues traditions established by 18th-century satire. Just as satirists used public…

The Bernie Sanders Mittens Meme originated from a widely circulated image of Senator Bernie Sanders at the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. This photo became popular due to the humorous contrast between Sanders' casual,…

Animal Farm is a satirical novella by George Orwell, written as a critique of the rise of totalitarianism and the corruption of socialist ideals. Set on an English farm, it portrays animals who rebel against their human owner to create an equal,…