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The mares lamentation, or the self-willed Don-Key, 1830. Artist
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The mares lamentation, or the self-willed Don-Key, 1830. Artist
The mares lamentation, or the self-willed Don-Key, 1830. Sir John Key, in mayoral robes, with asses ears and legs. The cartoon refers to the cancellation of the Lord Mayors show by Key for fear of anti-Wellington riots
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Media ID 15169160
© London Metropolitan Archives (City of London) / Heritage-Images
1st Duke Of Wellington Arthur Arthur Wellesley Cancellation Donkey Duke Of Duke Of Wellington Ears Foolish Iron Duke John Key Lord Mayor Of London Lord Mayors Show Lord Wellington Phillips Sir Arthur Wellesley Sir John Sir John Key Stupid The Iron Duke Wellesley Wellington John Phillips
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The Mares Lamentation, or the Self-Willed Don-Key
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a satirical print from 1830 by Sir John Phillips that captures a significant moment in British history. Depicting Sir John Key, the Lord Mayor of London, wearing mayoral robes but with donkey ears and legs, this caricature symbolizes his perceived foolishness and stupidity. The cartoon alludes to an event where Key canceled the annual Lord Mayors show due to fears of anti-Wellington riots. The cancellation was seen as an act of weakness and capitulation to public unrest. In this artwork, Key's transformation into a donkey highlights his lack of political acumen and portrays him as a figure who has lost touch with the people he represents. The presence of Wellington in the title further emphasizes the political context surrounding this satire. As the first Duke of Wellington and a prominent figure in 19th-century Britain, Wellington's association with Key's decision adds weight to its significance. This etching serves as both social commentary and political satire, reflecting on power dynamics within British society at that time. It showcases how art can be used as a tool for criticism and expression during periods of political tension. Today, "The Mares Lamentation" remains an intriguing historical artifact held at Guildhall Library and Art Gallery in London. Its enduring relevance lies in its ability to provoke thought about past events while reminding us that even those in positions of authority are not immune from ridicule when their actions are deemed unwise
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