One notable caricature by Cruikshank is titled "French Liberty." It portrays a chaotic scene of French citizens expressing their enthusiasm for newfound freedom. The image shows a man wearing a Phrygian cap, a symbol of the French Revolution, dancing wildly while holding a bottle of wine. He is surrounded by individuals engaged in various activities, such as playing musical instruments, dancing, and drinking. Through this caricature, Cruikshank humorously highlights the perceived excess and disorder that characterized the revolutionary era in France.
Another cartoon by Cruikshank titled "The Grand National Assembly" depicts the French legislative body as a circus-like spectacle. The image features a group of animals dressed as politicians and engaged in ridiculous antics. A lion, representing the king, sits on a throne while other animals, such as a monkey, a pig, and a donkey, engage in chaotic discussions. Cruikshank's caricature playfully mocks the perceived absurdity of the French political system and the challenges it faced during the post-revolutionary period.
The captions accompanying Cruikshank's cartoons often provide witty and satirical commentary. In "French Liberty," the caption reads, "Liberty, equality, and fraternity, or the Devil take the hindmost," mocking the revolutionary ideals that had become associated with chaos and disorder. Similarly, in "The Grand National Assembly," the caption states, "The French National Assembly, as it appeared in the year 1793, when the members had no heads, but all wore mustaches," underscoring the perceived irrationality and instability of the French government during that time.
Through his caricatures of French society, George Cruikshank employed humor and exaggeration to critique the political, social, and cultural dynamics of post-revolutionary France. These satirical works offer insights into the prevailing British perceptions of France during a period of significant upheaval and change.