Who painted "Crinolina" - and the Consequences [recto]?

"Crinolina" - and the Consequences [recto] was painted by George Cruikshank in 1865.

Where can I see "Crinolina" - and the Consequences [recto]?

"Crinolina" - and the Consequences [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is "Crinolina" - and the Consequences [recto]?

"Crinolina" - and the Consequences [recto] is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

"Crinolina" - and the Consequences [recto]

George Cruikshank , 1865

"Crinolina" - and the Consequences [recto] is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist George Cruikshank. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

George Cruikshank’s 1865 drawing *Crinolina – and the Consequences* (recto) combines pen, black ink, watercolor and a scratching‑out technique on wove paper. The composition presents a frantic, almost theatrical scene in which a spectral horse and rider surge through the air while a crowd below reacts with panic, their gestures frozen in mid‑flight.

Subject & Meaning

The title alludes to the crinoline, the voluminous skirt fashionable in the mid‑nineteenth century, suggesting a satirical take on contemporary dress and its social repercussions. The chaotic movement of the ghostly rider and the startled figures below serve as a visual metaphor for the disruptive impact of fleeting fashions on public order.

Technique & Style

Cruikshank employs a layered approach: fine pen lines define the figures, while washes of muted gray and blue watercolor establish atmosphere. A distinctive scratching‑out of the paper creates hollow, ghost‑like eyes in the crowd, intensifying the eerie quality. A brief splash of green and brown in the lower left adds a contrasting accent to the otherwise subdued palette.

History & Provenance

Created during Cruikshank’s prolific period as a caricaturist and book illustrator, the drawing reflects his reputation as a visual commentator on Victorian society. Known as the “modern Hogarth,” he frequently used humor to critique customs and fashions, and this work exemplifies that satirical impulse.

Context

The mid‑1860s saw the crinoline reach its apex before a rapid decline, making it a ripe target for satire. Cruikshank’s drawing situates itself within a broader tradition of British social caricature, where exaggerated scenes highlighted the absurdities of contemporary trends and their effects on public behavior.

Artist & collection

Artist

George Cruikshank

George Cruikshank or Cruickshank ( KRUUK-shank; 27 September 1792 – 1 February 1878) was a British caricaturist and book illustrator, praised as the "modern Hogarth" during his life.