Sarcasm Collection

Los Caprichos by Francisco de Goya (1746-1828)
Francisco de Goya (1746-1828). Spanish painter and printmaker. Los Caprichos. Lo que puede un sastre! (What can a tailor!). Number 52. Aquatint. 1799. Reproduction by M. Segui i Riera

Goya (1746-1828). Spanish painter and printmaker. Los Capric
Francisco de Goya (1746-1828). Spanish painter and printmaker. Los Caprichos. Donde va mama? (Where are you going mum?). Number 65. Aquatint. 1799. Plate 43. Reproduction by M. Segui i Riera

The Intelligence Department, by Bairnsfather
The Intelligence Department " Is this ere the Warwicks?" " Nao, Indenburgs blinkin Light Infantry" A cartoon by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather in The Bystander

Dire qu'Arsionoé n'était pas contente d'être portraiturée... 1844. Creator: Honore Daumier
Dire qu'Arsionoe n'etait pas contente d'etre portraituree... 1844. Man with feather duster looking at bust (of his wife)

Quand les enfants ont été bien sages... 1840. Creator: Honore Daumier
Quand les enfants ont ete bien sages... 1840. Quand les enfants ont ete bien sages le papa les mene au bain par partie de plaisir

Smilette, Democrat Election Poster, 1932 (litho)
PNP322045 Smilette, Democrat Election Poster, 1932 (litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Nos comptes sont faciles a établir.. 1844. Creator: Honore Daumier
Nos comptes sont faciles a etablir.. 1844. Nos comptes sont faciles a etablir...vous m'avez confie mille exemplaires de votre recueil poetique intitule "soupirs de mon ame..." vingt

Monsieur veut-il des crêpes?.. 1855. Creator: Honore Daumier
Monsieur veut-il des crepes?.. 1855. Monsieur veut-il des crepes?...- Ca doit etre un ancient croque-mort!'. Waiter: Would Monsieur like pancakes

Satire Graphic by Randolph Caldecott
3524097 Satire Graphic by Randolph Caldecott by Caldecott, Randolph (1846-86); (add.info.: Satire graphic by Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886) a British artist and illustrator

Cartoon depicting the riots in New York on St Patricks Day 1867, published in Harpers Weekly
TPG440670 Cartoon depicting the riots in New York on St Patricks Day 1867, published in Harpers Weekly, April 6 1867 (wood engraving) by Nast

When the Sleeper Wakes (litho)
1051697 When the Sleeper Wakes (litho) by Lanos, Henri (1859-1929); Private Collection; (add.info.: When the Sleeper Wakes)

Hello Samson (colour litho)
3642864 Hello Samson (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hello Samson! Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Comic postcard, Man with red nose - I thought you was the comet! Date: early 20th century

The Beautiful Narcissus, caricature engraved by d Aubert and Co
CHT289153 The Beautiful Narcissus, caricature engraved by d Aubert and Co. and published by Bauger in Paris, 1840-50 (colour litho) by Daumier, Honore (1808-79); Musee de la Ville de Paris

Delightful experience of a family in a crowded restaurant, c. 1860 (colour litho)
CHT252542 Delightful experience of a family in a crowded restaurant, c.1860 (colour litho) by Monnier, Henri Bonaventure (1779-1877) (after); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

Temeprance enjoying a Frugal Meal, pub. 1792 (hand coloured engraving)
3025381 Temeprance enjoying a Frugal Meal, pub. 1792 (hand coloured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Webs of the North ( Les Toiles du Nord )
695063 The Webs of the North ( Les Toiles du Nord ), illustration from The History of Holy Russia ( L Histoire de la Sainte Russie ), published in Paris, 1854 (woodcut) by Dore

Dove-tailing, engraved by George Hunt, published by Thomas Mclean, 1827 (colour litho)
JEF144623 Dove-tailing, engraved by George Hunt, published by Thomas Mclean, 1827 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); The Geffrye Museum of the Home, London

View of the War from Switzerland, from Some Frightful War Pictures
STC64453 View of the War from Switzerland, from Some Frightful War Pictures, 1915 (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English

A Photographic Positive 1853
A mother seeks assistance in regards to her daughter accidentally spilling photographic chemicals, in particular staining her face from nitrate of silver

The Friend of the People & his Petty New Tax Gatherer, paying John Bull a visit
NCO190417 The Friend of the People & his Petty New Tax Gatherer, paying John Bull a visit, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1806 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray

Caricature ridiculing Chapter VI of the Rights and Duties of Spouses in the French Code
CHT293273 Caricature ridiculing Chapter VI of the Rights and Duties of Spouses in the French Code Civil, promulgated by Napoleon in 1804, c.1840-50 (colour litho) by Daumier

The Reconciliation, published by Hannah Humphrey, 1804 (coloured etching)
NCO189717 The Reconciliation, published by Hannah Humphrey, 1804 (coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College

Collapse of part of the subway tunnel on Park Avenue, New York City, USA, 22 March 1902 (b / w photo)
6014327 Collapse of part of the subway tunnel on Park Avenue, New York City, USA, 22 March 1902 (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Letter from First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte to the Count of Provence, 6 September 1800, (1921). Lettre du Premier Consul au comte de Provence

An Unthankful Fellow, 1829. Artist: George Cruikshank
An Unthankful Fellow, 1829. From Scraps & Sketches by George Cruikshank. [George Cruikshank, London, 1829]

No Possible Doubt Whatever. Sentry;"alt! Who Goes There?"He Of The Bundle;"You Shut Yer
No Possible Doubt Whatever. Sentry; " alt! Who Goes There?" He Of The Bundle; " You Shut Yer...... Mouth Or I ll...... Come And Knock Yer

So Obvious. The Young And Talkative One "who Made That Ole?"The Fed Up One "mice"
So Obvious. The Young And Talkative One " who Made That Ole?" The Fed Up One " mice". After The Wartime Cartoon By Bruce Bairnsfather

WW2 - Comic Postcard - Restaurateur in no hurry
WW2 - Comic Postcard - A Restaurateur is in no hurry to serve his new guests - a band of German prisoners! Date: circa 1944

Why aren t they in the Honours List? H. M Bateman WW1 cartoon
" Civilian Heroes of the Great War" Batemans WWI illustrations often mock the upper classes for their oblivion to the true extent to which ordinary people were suffering during the war

National / Communal Kitchens, WW1
A cartoon showing the public feeling towards the communal kitchens that were to be set up during WW1. Its aim was to provide meals to the lower classes for a very small price

La Fontaine Renewed, Prussian Wolf disguised as a shepherd to guard German sheep
XJF441080 La Fontaine Renewed, Prussian Wolf disguised as a shepherd to guard German sheep, from Le Charivari, 10 October, 1867 (litho) by Daumier

The Prompt Arrival of Colonial Goods, 1807 (coloured engraving)
XIR778871 The Prompt Arrival of Colonial Goods, 1807 (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

The Gascon in London, or English Civility, 1806 (colour litho)
XIR778867 The Gascon in London, or English Civility, 1806 (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Cornish Boatman sets an amateur fisherman straight
Sarcastic Amateur Fisherman: " Are there any fish to be caught here, my man?" Cornish Boatman: " No Zur; You caught em all the last time as you was here!" Date: circa 1890s

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Sarcasm: The Art of Witty Irony and Satire" Sarcasm, a powerful tool in the hands of artists throughout history, has been used to convey biting social commentary and provoke thought. From Francisco de Goya's "Los Caprichos" to Bairnsfather's "The Intelligence Department, " sarcasm has left an indelible mark on art. Goya, the Spanish painter and printmaker known for his darkly satirical works, masterfully depicted societal vices and follies in his series "Los Caprichos. " Through haunting imagery and clever captions, he exposed the hypocrisy that plagued society during his time. In the realm of political satire, lithographs like Smilette's Democrat Election Poster from 1932 or Randolph Caldecott's Satire Graphic have provided scathing critiques disguised as humor. These artworks serve as reminders that laughter can be a potent weapon against injustice. Even historical events were not spared from sarcastic scrutiny. A wood engraving published in Harper's Weekly captured the riots on St Patrick's Day 1867 with a touch of irony. It highlighted how even festive occasions could descend into chaos when tensions ran high. Literature also embraced sarcasm; H. G. Wells' lithograph novel "When the Sleeper Wakes" delved into dystopian themes through sharp wit. Similarly, "Hello Samson, " a color lithograph piece, showcased how comedy could be employed to challenge societal norms. Comic postcards became another medium for expressing sarcasm; one such card featured a man with a red nose jokingly mistaking himself for a comet. This lighthearted approach allowed people to reflect on their own absurdities while sharing a laugh. Caricatures too played their part in mocking vanity and self-obsession. Caricature engraved by d'Aubert & Co titled "The Beautiful Narcissus" hilariously portrayed excessive self-admiration, reminding viewers of the dangers of vanity.