British illustrator, graphic humorist and political cartoonist, very good friends with Spencer Bradshaw (1820-1914)

concept

Sir John Tenniel. Photograph by the London Stereoscopic & Photographic Co.

A French supporter of the Paris Commune prefers to throw an incendiary bomb to advance equality, while a British workman prefers to smoke his pipe in the interests of liberty. Wood engraving by J. Swain, ca. 1871, after Sir J. Tenniel.

Three men seeking lodgings standing on the doorstep of a house where the charwoman (Benjamin Disraeli) addresses them from the window; representing the enfranchisement of lodgers. Process print, 1878, after J. Tenniel, 1867.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visiting soldiers wounded in the Crimean War, at Brompton Hospital, Chatham. Coloured lithograph by J.A. Vinter, 1855, after J. Tenniel.

A large vehicle (Phoebus's cart), on which is an electrical generator, being pulled along by winged horses with light bulbs on their heads: electricity sweeps all before it. Wood engraving by Swain, 1881, after J. Tenniel.

A large cannon pushed forwards by Furies crushes American soldiers under its wheels; representing the American Civil War. Wood engraving after J. Tenniel, 1864.

A dismayed man reading his doctor's recommendations to cut back on aspects of life that he enjoys. Wood engraving by Swains, 1888, after Sir J. Tenniel.

Joe Huggins, condemned for throttling an old gentleman, is stripped to the waist and kneeling before policemen pleading for mercy while the executioner is rolling up the sleeves of his shirt to begin with the flogging. Wood engraving by J. Swain after Sir J. Tenniel, 1872.

First Vatican Council, 1869-1870: Pope Pius IX leading his cardinals across a plank of wood placed on the ice, watched by Mr Punch. Wood engraving by Swain after J. Tenniel, 1869.

An alchemist with angel's wings and a skull cap, pouring fluid from a ladle into a crucible. Pencil drawing by J. Tenniel, 1898.

A fat complacent Briton sits on a stool while a Zulu man writes "Despise not your enemy" on a blackboard. Wood engraving by Swain after J. Tenniel, 1879.

A pharmacist making up a prescription for a kangaroo; representing Chamberlain's advocacy of the Commonwealth of Australia. Wood engraving by J. Swain after Sir J. Tenniel, 1900.

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John Tenniel

Images from the collections

Images by John Tenniel

Images featuring John Tenniel

Works from the collections

A dismayed man reading his doctor's recommendations to cut back on aspects of life that he enjoys. Wood engraving by Swains, 1888, after Sir J. Tenniel.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visiting soldiers wounded in the Crimean War, at Brompton Hospital, Chatham. Coloured lithograph by J.A. Vinter, 1855, after J. Tenniel.

A fat complacent Briton sits on a stool while a Zulu man writes "Despise not your enemy" on a blackboard. Wood engraving by Swain after J. Tenniel, 1879.

An alchemist with angel's wings and a skull cap, pouring fluid from a ladle into a crucible. Pencil drawing by J. Tenniel, 1898.

A pharmacist making up a prescription for a kangaroo; representing Chamberlain's advocacy of the Commonwealth of Australia. Wood engraving by J. Swain after Sir J. Tenniel, 1900.

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