Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Zoology, Human Species, Human Development, Race, Photography, Representation

    Shows a simian-looking middle-aged man sitting in his drawing room, whilst looking at a booklet entitled 'Portrait of a Gorilla', the inside of which is hidden. There are two young children in front of him who tease him with the words 'Ain't it a jolly sell, Mr. O'Toole? but don't tell Ma when she comes down, 'cause she said I wasn't to show it you on any account!'. The rest of the caption invites the reader to refer to the 'widely-circulated "Portrait of the Gorilla", to be obtained at the nearest Photographers'. The choice of name for the man, who is meant to see himself mirrored in the gorilla photograph, reflects Punch's habit of implying that the Irish resemble apes.