The artwork entitled “Statesman No.093° – Caricature of The Duke of Rutland” is a creation by James Tissot from the year 1871, contributing to the Realism movement and classified under the caricature genre. This piece is part of the “Statesman (Caricatures)” series and was produced during an era when visual satire was a popular form of political commentary.
The artwork features a figure that is rendered with exaggerated features typical of caricature, aimed at emphasizing certain personality traits or societal roles. The subject stands with a confident posture, one hand positioned on his hip and the other holding what appears to be a pair of gloves. He sports a full beard and is dressed in attire appropriate for a person of significant status during the period, complete with a waistcoat with prominent buttons and a dark, tailored jacket.
The background of the artwork is minimalist, drawing full attention to the subject. At the top right corner, a small inset displays a decorative coronet, suggesting the subject’s aristocratic rank. Below the figure, text denoting the artwork as number 93 in the series of statesmen, accompanied by a caption, providing a hint about the subject’s political significance: “He was once offered the leadership of the Conservative Party.” The text grounding the artwork within the Vanity Fair publication contextualizes it as a piece meant for public consumption, aimed at readers with an interest in politics and society figures.
