The Present Crusade - The Attitude of the Czar in Declaring War Against the Turks.

• Price: $75.00
  

  SKU: 91480

• PRINT ADD TO FAVORITES
  SHARE

• ARTIST: Thomas Nast

• PUBLISHER: Published by Harper's Weekly. May 26, 1877.

• MEDIUM: Wood engraving,

  DATE: 1877.

• EDITION SIZE: Image size 19 3/4 x 13 1/4" (50.4 x 33.8 cm).

• DESCRIPTION: A caricature of Alexander II of Russia. There were a number of reasons Russia waged war on Turkey in 1877, but the artist, Thomas Nast, pulls on a more public explanation - they (the Russians) were trying to liberate orthodox Christians from the tyranny of Islam. It was common in Russia for the czar to be shown as a liberator. Nast, however, seems to liken him more to a Crusader. Based on other cartoon made by the artist during this period we can surmise that this depiction was meant in a derogatory manner - Nast showed a disliking for religious wars in the cartoon "Peace Rumors. Let Us Have (A) Peace (Piece). [The Turk wishes he was Christian]" which was published on June 30th, a month after this one. In the cartoon the Christian nations of Europe were shown cutting up a map of the Ottoman Empire so that they could have a piece of it, and the Turkish Sultan can do nothing to stop them. <br><br> In this cartoon Alexander stands with his religious banner raised high in the air. It reads "En touto nika" which means 'In this, be victorious,' a phrase that stems from a vision granted to Saint Constantine I before battle in the 4th century A.D. Alexander's foot is also planted on Turkish blades, symbolizing his desire for victory, and the shadow of a cross is cast on a mosque in the background.

• ADDITIONAL INFO:

• CONDITION: Good condition, save for minor offsetting.

• REFERENCE:

• CATEGORIES: 18th-19th Century Subjects , Caricatures and Satirical , Thomas Nast