X-rated cartoons dusted off
Wednesday December 16 2009
ON ONE page Napoleon peeks through a set of curtains to spy on cavorting nudes. On another the Duke of York is in carnal embrace with his diminutive wife. A third depicts George III defecating into a hat.
The bound volume of cartoons by James Gillray, the 18th- and 19th-century artist whose satirical etchings were the forerunner of modern political cartoons, was once considered so obscene it was seized by police.
Yesterday the pornography and obscenity officials in Britain conceded that times have changed and handed it over to the Victoria and Albert Museum. (© The Times, London)
Irish Independent
Comments that are judged to be defamatory, abusive or tasteless will not be approved and contributors who consistently fall below these criteria will be permanently blacklisted. Comments should be concise and to the point. The moderator will not enter into debate with individual contributors and the moderator's decision is final.
blog comments powered by Disqus
