"French cartoon on the abolition of slavery in England. John Bull gives freedom to an enslaved woman while keeping his own English wife on the leash. According to the caption, the woman is publicly offered for sale. This refers to the English use of 'wife selling'. Because divorce in England until 1857 was virtually impossible and expensive, it occurred in poorer circles that the woman was literally sold to end the marriage. In the background, the abolition of slavery is celebrated while at the same time a woman is sold."--Rijks Museum online catalogue, object number: RP-P-1951-702
Alternative Title:
Dédié aux anglomanes
Description:
Title from text below image., Print signed with the initial "B" in lower left corner of design., Date of publication inferred from the reference to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833., and "Déposé."--Beneath image in lower right.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Topic):
Divorce, John Bull (Symbolic character), Slavery, and Spouses
