Smacking Collection

Emmeline Pankhurst a suffragette, on her way to Cannon Row after smacking Inspector Jarviss face. 1909

Go On, Dad, Smack it - I won t tell ma! (colour litho)
3102363 Go On, Dad, Smack it - I won t tell ma! (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Go On, Dad, Smack it - I won t tell ma)

The joys of married life (colour litho)
3641786 The joys of married life (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The joys of married life. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Venus Catching Love or Venus Flogging Love, ca. 1741. Creators: Caylus
Venus Catching Love or Venus Flogging Love, ca. 1741

Cupid Chastised, (1912). Artist: Eberlein
Cupid Chastised, (1912). A print from The Connoisseur, (London, 1912)

Yachting Terms Illustrated - A Spanker!"
Yachting Terms Illustrated - " A Spanker!" A housewife reacts with furious anger to the indiscretions of her younger son, who has spilt black ink all over her pressed white tablecloth

Victorian children smacking boys bottokm for birthday

Cartoon, Gladstone punishing Randolph Churchill
Cartoon, William Gladstone (1809-1898), Liberal Prime Minister, punishing his younger political colleague, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill (1849-1895), for causing trouble. 1883

The old woman who lived in a shoe
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, she had so many children, she didn t know what to do

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"Exploring the Historical Context of Smacking: From Emmeline Pankhurst to Victorian Children" In Plate 527, A, B, C; 1, we witness a thought-provoking collotype on paper by an unknown artist from 1872-1885. It portrays a child being spanked, raising questions about parenting practices during that era. Another intriguing depiction is found in the cartoon of Gladstone punishing Randolph Churchill. This political satire highlights the use of physical punishment as a means of discipline and control. Moving forward in time, we encounter "Une bonne idee, " a captivating colour lithograph that suggests spanking may have been seen as an acceptable form of punishment or even entertainment. Similarly, "Go On, Dad. Smack it - I won't tell ma. " presents us with another colourful lithograph where spanking is depicted humorously within familial dynamics. "The joys of married life" takes us into the realm of marital relationships and explores how power dynamics were expressed through physical discipline. A whimsical Christmas card shows clowns playfully smacking a shopkeeper. This chromolithograph reminds us that even festive occasions could incorporate elements of playful punishment. Delving further back into history brings us to works like "Venus Catching Love" and "Cupid Chastised. " These artworks from different eras depict mythological figures using corporal punishment as expressions of love or retribution. On a lighter note, Yachting Terms Illustrated introduces us to nautical jargon with its mention of 'a spanker. ' Here we see how language can incorporate references to physical chastisement in unexpected ways. Lastly, an illustration for Le Rire showcases yet another facet where spanking was portrayed comically and satirically within popular media during the late 19th century.