Caricature of Charles Robert Darwin
Date
1871
Sitter
Charles Robert Darwin (1809 - 1882, British) , Naturalist
After
Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836 - 1902, French) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 365mm
width (print): 245mm
width (print): 245mm
Subject
Description
Caricature of Charles Robert Darwin, seated and leaning forward in his armchair, looking to the right as viewed.
Inscribed above: ‘VANITY FAIR. Sept. 30, 1871.’
Inscribed below: ‘No. 152. ‘MEN OF THE DAY, No. 33/ “Natural Selection.”’
This caricature is titled ‘Natural Selection’ and was number 33 of the ‘Men of the Day’ series published in Vanity Fair.
The associated text begins: ‘In all times, and among all peoples, whenever and wherever the faculty of thought has existed, men have asked the question: "How come we here?" and there is scarcely a form of society but has produced one or more kinds of answer to the inquiry […] Among these theories one of the most striking is that which Mr. Darwin has given to the world with reference to the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection. Mr. Darwin, who was born sixty-two years ago, has spent the whole of a most laborious life in close converse with the material world in which we live, and the beings that it has from time to time seen upon its surface. He has thus become one of the most accomplished naturalists now in existence, and any theoretical structure that he builds upon his researches must be regarded with great respect […]’
Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882), naturalist, geologist, and originator of the theory of natural selection, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839.
Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836-1902), French painter and illustrator for Vanity Fair between 1869-1873 under the pseudonym ‘Coïdé’.
Inscribed above: ‘VANITY FAIR. Sept. 30, 1871.’
Inscribed below: ‘No. 152. ‘MEN OF THE DAY, No. 33/ “Natural Selection.”’
This caricature is titled ‘Natural Selection’ and was number 33 of the ‘Men of the Day’ series published in Vanity Fair.
The associated text begins: ‘In all times, and among all peoples, whenever and wherever the faculty of thought has existed, men have asked the question: "How come we here?" and there is scarcely a form of society but has produced one or more kinds of answer to the inquiry […] Among these theories one of the most striking is that which Mr. Darwin has given to the world with reference to the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection. Mr. Darwin, who was born sixty-two years ago, has spent the whole of a most laborious life in close converse with the material world in which we live, and the beings that it has from time to time seen upon its surface. He has thus become one of the most accomplished naturalists now in existence, and any theoretical structure that he builds upon his researches must be regarded with great respect […]’
Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882), naturalist, geologist, and originator of the theory of natural selection, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839.
Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836-1902), French painter and illustrator for Vanity Fair between 1869-1873 under the pseudonym ‘Coïdé’.
Object history
Vanity Fair’s ‘Men of the Day’ series, which featured a full page, colour caricature of a significant public figure and text commentary, largely written by "Jehu Junior", was a popular feature that ran between 1868 and 1913.
This print was purchased by the Royal Society in 1999.
This print was purchased by the Royal Society in 1999.
Associated place