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Tobacco Leaves No. 1, pub. 1851 (hand coloured engraving)
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Tobacco Leaves No. 1, pub. 1851 (hand coloured engraving)
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 15143302
© Historica Graphica Collection / Heritage-Images
Cigarettes Cigars Clay Pipe Drug Gentleman Gentlemen George Cruikshank 1792 1878 Habit Hand Coloured Engraving Pipe Pipes Tobacco Dustmen Gent Historica Graphica Collection Illustratio Narcotics Nicotine Puff Puffing Sweeps
EDITORS COMMENTS
This hand-coloured engraving titled "Tobacco Leaves No. 1, pub. 1851" takes us back to a bygone era when smoking was not only prevalent but also subject to satire and caricature. Created by the renowned artist George Cruikshank (1792-1878), this historical print offers a fascinating glimpse into society's relationship with tobacco during the mid-19th century. In this lively scene, we see a diverse group of individuals indulging in their smoking habits. Men and women from different walks of life are depicted puffing on cigarettes, cigars, and clay pipes with great gusto. The exaggerated expressions on their faces reflect both the pleasure derived from nicotine and the societal critique embedded within Cruikshank's work. The artist cleverly incorporates dustmen or sweeps into the composition, perhaps alluding to the addictive nature of tobacco as an escape for those engaged in laborious or mundane tasks. Through his satirical lens, Cruikshank highlights how smoking transcends social boundaries and becomes a unifying habit among people from various backgrounds. With meticulous hand-colouring techniques employed in its creation, this engraving stands as a testament to both artistic skill and historical significance. It serves as a reminder that while our perceptions of smoking have evolved over time due to increased awareness about health risks associated with tobacco use, it remains an enduring part of human culture worth exploring through art and history alike.
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