This is the first appearance of George du Maurier's aesthetic poet named Jellaby Postlethwaite, whose name suggests a soft and effeminate nature. Postlethwaite is described as having a sad smile, flowerlike eyes, and a grand head. Our Gallant Colonel is presented as an outsider who is curious about the Postlethwaite's importance. Du Maurier's other aesthetic character, Maudle, is also referenced in this cartoon. Both Postlethwaite and Maudle are reminiscent of Wilde's aesthetic philosophy and are both reoccurring characters.

Source:
Du Maurier, George. "Nincompoopiana. -- The Mutual Admiration Society". Punch. 14 February 1880.

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by Janey Schmidt

Cartoonist George du Maurier draws "An Aesthetic Midday Meal" for Punch Magazine, a British magazine of humor and satire. This cartoon satirizes Oscar Wilde's lifestyle, as the unconventional customer, Jellaby Postlethwaite, is seen sitting in a feminine manner with his legs crossed and hands clasped.
Jellaby was a recurring character in Punch articles, a clear jab at Wilde's beliefs and actions. The cartoon suggests that Jellaby will dine on just a lily flower as "aesthetic food" rather than food of any real substance. These cartoons were widely read and led to the ridicule of Wilde on his future tours.

Sources:

George du Maurier, "An Aesthetic Midday Meal"

Snider, Rose. “Oscar Wilde's Progress down East.” The New England Quarterly, vol. 13, no. 1, 1940, pp. 7–23. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/360678.

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by Janey Schmidt

In one of Punch's Fancy Portrait prints, cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne depicts Oscar Wilde as a sunflower, a very popular symbol amongst the Aesthetes. Sambourne chose to include a quote from the Christy Minstrels, a blackface music group that was popular in the 1850s. This quote is followed by saying that Wilde's poetry is tame, emphasizing that he was more of a popular celebrity and less of an artist and poet.

Source:
Sambourne, Edward Linley. "O.W.". Punch. 25 June 1881.

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by Janey Schmidt

This cartoon was printed in response to Wilde's famous curtain call on the opening night of Lady Windermere's Fan at the St. James' Theatre on February 20, 1892. Where he took to the stage still smoking a cigarette and gave an amusing speech of playful immodesty.
The cartoon was drawn by Bernard Patridge, who based it on Peter Scheemakers' 1740 monument of William Shakespeare at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. Wilde is easily recognizable in this cartoon by the cigarette, the speech in his pocket, and Lady Windermere's Fan in his right hand. Patridge continues to compare Wilde to Shakespeare as the caption humorously calls him "the new dramatic author" and renames him Oscar Shakespeare Sheridan Puff, Esq.

Sources:

"Mr. Oscar Wilde as a playwright – Lady Windermere's Fan at the St. James's". St James's Gazette. 22 February 1892.

Patridge, Bernard. "Quite Too-Too Puffickly Precious!!". Punch. 5 March 1892.

Associated Places

by Janey Schmidt