The Reconnoitring Mortar by Heath Robinson
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
The Reconnoitring Mortar by Heath Robinson
This Heath Robinson cartoon show a new German innovation; soldiers with binoculars being launched into the sky. Several little nuances give it away as a Heath Robinson immediately, the mad premise, the very cobbled together appearance of the mortars, and the fact that slippers cover the perfectly servicable wheels. Date: 1914
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Media ID 14141561
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Binoculars Convention Denied Hague Heath Mortar Mortars Robinson
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print by the renowned British satirical artist Heath Robinson, titled "The Reconnoitring Mortar," dates back to the early days of World War I in 1914. The cartoon presents a fantastical and humorous take on a new German innovation in warfare. In this bizarre scene, soldiers with binoculars are launched into the sky, suspended from makeshift mortars that defy logic and reason. Heath Robinson's signature style is evident in the mad premise, the cobbled-together appearance of the mortars, and the unexpected addition of slippers covering the perfectly servicable wheels. The artist's ability to poke fun at the absurdities of war is on full display, adding a layer of humour and levity to the grim realities of the time. It is important to note that this cartoon was created before the Hague Conventions, which prohibited the use of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and bullets that expand or flatten easily in the human body. The concept of launching soldiers into the sky with binoculars, while not a real weapon, may have been a way for Heath Robinson to comment on the disregard for human life and the innovative, yet often reckless, approaches to warfare during this period. This print, with its rich historical significance and the unmistakable charm of Heath Robinson's art, serves as a poignant reminder of the unique perspective that satirical cartoons can offer on the complexities and contradictions of war.
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