February - Frost Fair

This etchng was made for an illustrated Comic Almanac showing a scene for February, the Frost Fair on the Thames in 1814 with swings and roundabouts and the Crown and Anchor booth to the left. London Bridge is clearly visible in the background and there is a printing press with a pig roasting on a spit. The print is loosely based on Cruikshank's Gambols on theThames print of 1814.

Cruikshank had been asked by the writer Vizetelly and the publisher Charles Tilt to supply illustrations for a comic almanac or calendar to participate in the 'March of Intellect' which provoked fun at superstition. Each month's prediction was accompanied by a scene illustrating a major event or scene in or near London and was characteristic of that month. It became very popular with the public and between 1835-1853 was the primary source of income for the artist.

George Cruikshank (1792-1878) was the son of Isaac Cruikshank and was one of the most celebrated satirical artists of the period. He was especially well known for his book illustrations.