Title

'The Grand Old Janus', 1887. Artist: Joseph Swain

Caption

'The Grand Old Janus', 1887. Gladstone is the statue of Janus, the Roman god of doorways. Janus is usually depicted with two faces looking in different directions. Janus approves the scene to the left in which a British policeman hands out summary justice to a ruffian. He disapproves of the scene to the right in which an armed officer, dressed in the style of the French police, deals with a similar ruffian. Even as early as the late Victorian period, the debate was being opened on whether or not British policemen should be armed. The view that it would only lead to the criminals arming themselves also is evidenced by the ruffian on the right having armed himself with a club. From Punch, or the London Charivari, November 26, 1887.

Date

1887

Credit line

Photo12/Heritage Images/The Cartoon Collector

Reference

HRM19A90_328

Model release

No

License type

Rights managed

Available size

53,9Mb (3,1Mb) / 16,3in x 12,9in / 4890 x 3855 (300dpi)

Keywords

Italy job religious politics country Rome French France religion law crime occupation violence weapon weapons aggression deity God Roman police war prime minister policeman location armed Victorian century profession criminal liberal concept violent punishment approval B&W disapproval goddess cartoon MONOCHROME politician warfare 19th century police brutality black & white black and white B W weaponry ruffian nineteenth century statesman Heritage Image Partnership Janus Liberal party caricature satire engraving Joseph Swain John Tenniel;Tenniel John;Sir John Tenniel Swain Joseph engraving caricature satire