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Anna M. Rosner
a synonym of an assimilated Jew and a reformer of the state and himself. The reform
he conducted on himself is of course the change from being born in a Jewish im¬
migrant family to being a well-educated and purposeful politician who managed to
become a prime minister. The portraits showing him as a prime minister and not
pointing out his origin gained in popularity with time and one of the best known
caricatures representing Disraeli and focusing on his profession and not his breed
is the one by Carlo Pellegrini, printed on 30 January 1869 in Vanity Fair (ill. 177)
(catalog number: C 1986.5.11”).
The magazine’s title could be explained as “a place or scene of ostentation or
empty, idle amusement and frivolity.” The periodical was well known for both ar¬
ticles and pictures, which focused mainly on the most recent political issues. Vanity
Fair did not support any of the parties; the journalists wrote their commentary on
nearly any possible subject and made jokes about most things and people. Disraeli’s
caricature was published during his first term in the office (February 1868-De¬
cember 1868). The picture itself does not aim at hurting or offending anyone, the
prime minister is dressed in the most fashionable manner: a smart coat, a top hat,
and gloves—he is leaning on a long umbrella. The only Jewish feature by which his
identity could be guessed is his dark, curly hair. He is clean-shaven and his expres¬
sion represents calm and patience; his eyes show a desire to judge or observe, but
surely not to cheat. Of course that does not represent a change in the perception
of the Jewish minority in Great Britain. Similar expressions and judging looks are
common in Victorian era cartoons of high-ranking politicians as representation of
their position in the state.
This particular caricature was designed as an opening image for a series of por¬
traits of well-known political figures. Thomas Gibson Bowles, the founder of Van¬
ity Fair, highly valued Disraeli and proved it in the caption following the picture.
Bowles expressed his admiration of the man who had managed to become one of
the greatest politicians of the era.” The final caption was cut short just to one last
sentence of the original text: “He educated the Tories, and dished the Whigs to pass
Reform; but to have become what he is from what he was is the greatest reform of
all"
For the readers of Vanity Fair, the punchline had more meaning than a presen¬
tation of Disraeli as a street merchant or a sweat-shop worker would. At this time
Benjamin Disraeli was considered an important politician, an intelligent man, and
a person whose role in the parliament should not be undervalued; but still his ori¬
gin was pointed out on many occasions and never forgotten. Ihat was due to the
fact that he was the first Jew to take over such an important position in the state.
23 heep://www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/search-our-collections-new?adlibid=17535 &offset=30 (accessed
04. 07. 2012).
24 hetp://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/vintage/oneclickhistory (accessed 04. 07. 2012).
5 In Vanity Fair, Roy T. Matthews and Peter Mellini, Scolar Press, 1982, London, p. 26.
76 € 2005.5.