The Nitrous Muse – A George Cruikshank Satire (c. 1820) – Limited Edition Framed Art Print

George Cruikshank’s The Nitrous Muse captures the strange intersection of science, spectacle, and artistic ego in early 19th-century Britain. Inspired by the era’s fashionable nitrous oxide demonstrations, the satire shows a gentleman—freshly euphoric from ‘laughing gas’—launching into an extravagant poetic performance, convinced he has tapped into sudden genius. Cruikshank’s wit lies not only in the physical comedy but in his playful critique of Regency intellectual culture, where grand ideas and theatrical self-importance often blurred together.

This modern IkonHaus edition preserves the original hand-colored etching’s vibrancy, expressive characters, and lively composition, while presenting it with contemporary clarity. A delightful conversation piece, it invites viewers to reflect on how easily inspiration can tip into absurdity—and how performance, creativity, and humor have always shared the same stage

This vibrant hand-colored etching—originally created by celebrated British satirist George Cruikshank—captures one of the quirkiest scientific fads of the early 19th century: public nitrous oxide demonstrations, where volunteers inhaled “laughing gas” and erupted into fits of euphoria, dramatic gestures, and sudden bursts of creative “genius.”

In The Nitrous Muse, a gentleman—freshly inspired by the gas—throws himself into an exaggerated poetic performance, convinced he’s channeling heroic verse. Cruikshank pokes fun at both the era’s scientific spectacle and its overly earnest literary culture, creating a lively Regency scene filled with character, color, and wit.

This modern edition faithfully preserves the charm of the original satire while presenting it in a clean, contemporary format, making it a standout conversation piece for writers, creatives, and lovers of classic British humor.

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C$248.88

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