The Mighty Pen

Graphic styles may have changed, but the political cartoons of 200 years ago are very much like those of today in one crucial respect: they critique through humour.

This cartoon from 1812, which shows a character representing Great Britain (on the left) with an extremely bloody nose and a black eye courtesy of an American figure, is one of 23 reproductions included in the display “Huzza for Freedom!” The exhibit – of work by historical and contemporary artists – was curated by four master’s students in museum studies, in collaboration with the Ontario Heritage Trust. View it at the Parliament Interpretive Centre in Toronto until September 1.