Foolery Collection

Lysistrata and his allies defending the access of the acropolis to men by farts, 1896 (litho)
AIS5356057 Lysistrata and his allies defending the access of the acropolis to men by farts, 1896 (litho) by Beardsley, Aubrey (1872-98); 32x25 cm; (add.info)

Beauty is only skin deep (colour litho)
8656187 Beauty is only skin deep (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Beauty is only skin deep - then for heaven's sake skin her)

The death of Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) at the time of victory
MMM5481869 The death of Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) at the time of victory by Gillray, James (1757-1815); National Maritime Museum, London

Dunce's cap, c.1880 (print)
7293408 Dunce's cap, c.1880 (print); (add.info.: Education. Student wearing a dunce's cap at school. Imagery, France, ca 1880.); Photo: © Archives Charmet.

Page from The Bible Emblem Anniversary Book (colour litho)
8630704 Page from The Bible Emblem Anniversary Book (colour litho) by Foster, William (1852-1924); Private Collection; (add.info)

Portraits de Brunswick, 1792 (engraving)
8677260 Portraits de Brunswick, 1792 (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Portraits de Brunswick, 1792)

The Dissolution (engraving)
8677250 The Dissolution (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Dissolution)

The last Shift (engraving)
8677187 The last Shift (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The last Shift)

Past & Present: The Bicycle (colour litho)
8668679 Past & Present: The Bicycle (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Bicycle. Hobby Horse)

The political dancing bear (engraving)
8677197 The political dancing bear (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The political dancing bear)

Wonders have not ceased (engraving)
8677190 Wonders have not ceased (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Wonders have not ceased)

Agesilaus in Egypt (litho)
8660739 Agesilaus in Egypt (litho) by Dudley, Robert Ambrose (1867-1951); Private Collection; (add.info.: Agesilaus in Egypt)

The Political Machine that goes without Horses, 1769 (engraving)
8677244 The Political Machine that goes without Horses, 1769 (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Political Machine that goes without Horses)

Musical entertainment provided in the form of a singing troubadour and children playing a paino (colour litho)
7150669 Musical entertainment provided in the form of a singing troubadour and children playing a paino (colour litho) by Reynolds

The Old Man and the Three Young Men, 1850
3478185 The Old Man and the Three Young Men, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration titled 'The Old Man and the Three Young Men'. The young men are mocking the old man for planting a tree at his age)

The Birthright of Englishmen ascertained, 1216. Surrendered March 22 1770 (engraving)
8677185 The Birthright of Englishmen ascertained, 1216. Surrendered March 22 1770 (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Posh boy refusing to carry a yacht (colour litho)
8635564 Posh boy refusing to carry a yacht (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Posh boy refusing to carry a yacht)

Musical entertainment provided in the form of ballad songs and jazz (colour litho)
7150668 Musical entertainment provided in the form of ballad songs and jazz (colour litho) by Reynolds, Frank (1876-1953); Private Collection; (add.info)

John Bull (icon of the British nation) exchanging news with the continent
MMM5481948 John Bull (icon of the British nation) exchanging news with the continent by Woodward, George Moutard (c.1760-1809); National Maritime Museum, London

The hop merchant from Kent (England) and the speaker at Optics
MMM5477349 The hop merchant from Kent (England) and the speaker at Optics; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: The hop merchant from Kent (England) and the speaker of optics

A fight (milling match, a type of boxing where the fighters sit, fighting only with their fists) between bridges
MMM5482865 A fight (milling match, a type of boxing where the fighters sit, fighting only with their fists) between bridges by Tegg, Thomas (1776-1845) ; National Maritime Museum, London

The rivals, a cartoon featuring Royal Navy sailors offering to help a young girl who has just tipped over her basket
MMM5481856 The rivals, a cartoon featuring Royal Navy sailors offering to help a young girl who has just tipped over her basket; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: The rivals)

Equity or the sailor's prayer before the battle
MMM5481797 Equity or the sailor's prayer before the battle by Tegg, Thomas (1776-1845) ; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Fairness or the sailor's prayer before the battle)

Thus vibrates the Affairs of Old England (engraving)
8677196 Thus vibrates the Affairs of Old England (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Thus vibrates the Affairs of Old England)

The Diaboliad (engraving)
8677301 The Diaboliad (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Diaboliad)

The Spartans and Tyrtaeus (litho)
8660831 The Spartans and Tyrtaeus (litho) by Rowlandson, George Derville (1861-1930) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Spartans and Tyrtaeus)

The equipment of cadet (aspiring officer) William Blockhead, for his service on the HMS 'Hellfire' at a station
MMM5478578 The equipment of cadet (aspiring officer) William Blockhead, for his service on the HMS 'Hellfire' at a station in the West Indies (America) by Cruikshank

The Premier distributing the loaves and fishes to the labourers in His vineyard, May 9, 1772 (engraving)
8677189 The Premier distributing the loaves and fishes to the labourers in His vineyard, May 9, 1772 (engraving) by English School

Grand members concert in the House of Commons (colour litho)
8672215 Grand members concert in the House of Commons (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Guy Faux of 1770 (engraving)
8677805 The Guy Faux of 1770 (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Guy Faux of 1770)

The State Hackney Coach, 1773 (engraving)
8677791 The State Hackney Coach, 1773 (engraving) by English School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The State Hackney Coach, 1773. They go fast whom the devil drives)

Dido's despair, caricature making fun of Horatio Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton's relationship, 1801 (engraving)
MMM5481908 Dido's despair, caricature making fun of Horatio Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton's relationship, 1801 (engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); National Maritime Museum, London

The old bachelor, 1836 (illustration)
7485443 The old bachelor, 1836 (illustration) by Grandville (Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard) (1803-47); (add.info.: The old bachelor)

Dunce's cap, c.1880 (print)
7293414 Dunce's cap, c.1880 (print) by French School, (19th century); (add.info.: Education. Student wearing a dunce's cap at school. Imagery, France, ca 1880.); Photo: © Archives Charmet

The Mocking of Christ, 1612-13, (painting)
7130058 The Mocking of Christ, 1612-13, (painting) by Honthorst, Gerrit van (1590-1656); Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome, Italy; (add.info.: The Mocking of Christ, 1612-13, Gerard van Honthorst)

Arlequin and Leandre drink and sing while mocking Pierrot (verse 8), 1880 (engraving)
7312473 Arlequin and Leandre drink and sing while mocking Pierrot (verse 8), 1880 (engraving) by Froelich, Lorentz (1820-1908); 27, 5x18

The Almost-Night Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308554 The Almost-Night Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Falsifier Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308534 The Falsifier Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Fool Who Gives With Displeasure, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308522 The Fool Who Gives With Displeasure, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Goodness-Preventing Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308520 The Goodness-Preventing Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Usury Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308516 The Usury Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Aufbutz Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308513 The Aufbutz Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Fool Who Prefers Lust To Nurture, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308507 The Fool Who Prefers Lust To Nurture, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Sow-Quoting Jester, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308474 The Sow-Quoting Jester, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Processionary Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308471 The Processionary Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Fool Fallen Into His Own Net, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308467 The Fool Fallen Into His Own Net, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Beggar Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308456 The Beggar Fool, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

The Fool In Love With Himself, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308451 The Fool In Love With Himself, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

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"Foolery: A Timeless Art of Mockery and Mirth" Step into the world of foolery, where laughter reigns supreme and jesters hold court. From the grand stages of French Theatre to the intricate strokes of oil on canvas, this captivating art form has transcended time. In the Sottie du Prince des Sotz, we witness a satirical performance that pokes fun at societal norms. The actors don masks and costumes, unleashing their wit upon an unsuspecting audience. Laughter echoes through the halls as they expose human follies with sharp humor. The paintings "Christ Crowned with Thorns" and "The Mocking of Christ" depict a darker side to foolery. Here, mockery takes a cruel turn as Jesus is subjected to ridicule and humiliation. These powerful artworks serve as reminders that even in moments of despair, fools find ways to mock. But foolery isn't limited to religious themes alone; it permeates various aspects of life. In "Lysistrata, " women defend their rights by using flatulence as a weapon against men's access to power—an unconventional yet effective strategy that elicits both shock and amusement. Delving deeper into this realm, we encounter Arlequin and Leandre reveling in drink while mocking Pierrot—a scene captured beautifully in an engraving from 1880. Their raucous laughter fills the air as they indulge in merry mischief without consequence. Yet not all fools are carefree pranksters; some bear burdens hidden beneath their painted smiles. "The Almost-Night Fool, " "The Falsifier Fool, " "The Fool Who Gives With Displeasure, " among others depicted in brush and Indian ink on paper during the 17th century, reveal complex characters who navigate life's challenges with varying degrees of success. Foolery serves as society's mirror—reflecting our flaws while offering respite from reality's harshness.