1-150-233 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'Birds of a Feather', 1859. In 1859, there was an ongoing struggle between France and Austria over Italian independence as the Italian states tried to rid themselves of despotic rulers. In April Austria crossed into the Italian region of Sardinia. France despatched is own troops to aid the Sardinians. Britain, preserving neutrality, offered to mediate between Austria and France, but the offer was refused. Instead, France and Russia entered into a treaty both to defend Italy and to take the offensive against Austria. Eagles in art are the symbol for power and victory and, in this cartoon, we see the two eagles in the foreground representing Russia (left) and France (right) reaching their agreement. In the background, the sacrificial lamb of Italy is being savaged by the two-headed Austrian eagle. The shadow of war is plainly depicted by the bare bones on the ground. This cooperation between France and Russia was viewed with considerable suspicion back in Britain, but Britain remained neutral. From Punch, or the London Charivari, May 7, 1859