Gathering for the Pantomime

Gathering for the Pantomime

Alfred Crowquill

Wood engraving by an unknown engraver

13¾ x 9½ inches

The Illustrated London News, 661.

One of Crowquill’s grotesque, visionary works; intended to be fun, a jolly image for the festive season, it seems to modern eyes more menacing that jovial. The ugliness of so many of the faces undermines the humour and implies a psychological tension that goes beyond the artist’s brief.

Click on the image to enlarge it

Scanned image and text by Simon Cooke.

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned the image and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the