Getting their backs up (1903)

"Getting their backs up," a captivating 1903 piece by artist John Samuel Pughe, offers a thought-provoking look at international politics through the engaging medium of satirical illustration. In this artwork, dogs, each labeled with the name of a different country (England, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, and Holland), whimsically represent the nations of the early 20th century.At the center of the scene, a large bulldog, wearing a cap marked "England," leans aggressively towards a bowl labeled "Venezuela Preferred Claims," symbolizing the geopolitical interests Britain had in Venezuela at the time. To England’s right, a dog wearing a cap labeled "Italy" and another tagged as "Germany" show a marked interest in the claims, symbolizing their respective country’s interests in global politics.Above this fray, dogs representing other European nations peak over a fence, their backs arched and expressions ranging from curious to cautiously antagonistic. This clever portrayal suggests their keen observation and readiness to respond to the unfolding scenario, indicative of the ever-watchful stance of nations regarding their neighbors' activities.Pughe's work brilliantly uses anthropomorphism to represent the nation-states and their interrelations, encapsulating the competitive and oftentimes adversarial nature of international relations at the beginning of the 20th century. This painting not only serves as a historical reflection but also engages viewers to ponder the complexities of political diplomacy and national interests in a humorously relatable tableau.