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Satirical ballooning cartoon
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Satirical ballooning cartoon
Satirical cartoon: The Aerostatic Stage Balloon sets out from Swan with two necks Various passengers can be seen, sitting on three levels. They include royalty, a pope, a cardinal and a devil.
1783
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Media ID 7474835
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10610142
1780s 1783 Aerostatic Ballooning Cardinal Devil Froth Lampoon Levels Necks Passengers Pope Satire Satirical Swan Vanity
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This satirical print from the 1780s, titled "The Aerostatic Stage Balloon sets out from Swan with two necks," offers a humorous commentary on the new and exciting mode of transportation that was sweeping Europe at the time: ballooning. The image depicts a large hot air balloon taking off from a body of water, with various passengers seated on three distinct levels. Among them are a regal king and queen, a pope and a cardinal, and even a devil and a cat. The inclusion of such prominent figures of the time, including members of the royalty and the clergy, highlights the novelty and appeal of ballooning as a fashionable pastime for the elite. However, the satirical nature of the print is revealed through the presence of the devil and the cat, representing the vanity and frivolity often associated with such pursuits. The title of the print, "The Aerostatic Stage Balloon sets out from Swan with two necks," is also noteworthy. The reference to "two necks" may be a nod to the balloon's unusual shape, or it could be a playful allusion to the passengers' necks, emphasizing their lofty position and the potential for a neck-straining view of the world below. The print, created by an unknown artist, is a testament to the power of satire to both entertain and critique the societal norms of the time. It serves as a reminder of the early days of ballooning, when the technology was still new and intriguing, and the pursuit of flight was a symbol of human ambition and vanity.
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