The Pas De Deux!
1878
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1878
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
The Pas De Deux! is a 1878 by John Tenniel, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This sketch shows two men in matching fancy costumes—tight pants, stockings, and crowns—locked in a wrestling pose. One has his arms wrapped around the other’s back, while the second man leans forward, fists raised like he’s dodging a punch. Their outfits look old-fashioned, with lots of lines and patterns drawn in. The title at the bottom calls it *"The Pas De Deux!"* from a ballet called *The Spanish Anglo-Turkish Ballet of Action*. That’s a mouthful, but it hints this is about dance, not just fighting. If you like this playful mix of action and costume, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.
A 1878 drawing by John Tenniel, published in *Punch* on August 3, it depicts British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and Foreign Secretary Robert Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, following their participation in the Congress of Berlin, where they negotiated terms restricting Russia while advancing British interests. The work reflects political events of the time through satirical illustration. It later passed through M. H. Spielmann before being sold at Christie’s in February 1970.
Read the full account in the museum source.
John Tenniel drew like he was arguing with his own pencil—always precise, sometimes dry, never flashy.
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