An encomendero, or Spanish land grantee, is portrayed lavishly dressed and ordering the handing over of two servants to his possession. The children themselves are depicted in noble dress, highlighting the unfair reality of colonial rule. 

With Guaman Poma using this piece and various others to attempt to expose the injustices of colonial rule, this acts as an example of illustration revealing and clarifying truths. Poma desired to reveal the atrocities of colonialism, and attempted with this drawing and others to convey the injustice.

1626

Copperplate engraving

16 1/2'” 

 

Due to the delicacy permitted by copperplate engravings, drawings were able to be much more detailed and felt more alive. The woman’s hairstyle within the piece above is evidence of so, defined by its rich detail. Held behind the woman’s back is an apple, signifying her connection with Eve through the story of Genesis. 

I believe the fact that this piece alludes to Eve is an example of reinforced hierarchy and social class. My memory is a little foggy so I tried to do some more research on this, but a lot of the time I've seen and heard the idea of original sin being entirely pinned on Eve or Eve being the one to open the door and convince Adam to sin and eat the fruit. I think this is a very patriarchal idea, entirely pinning the blame on Eve herself and not her and Adam together. I see this as reinforcing demeaning and misogynistic ideas of women, linking to them directly to original sin in illustrated work.

Mexico

1903

Relief etching, ink on paper

Corrido

13 1/3 x 8 1/3

 

This piece is considered a corrido, which is an illustrated song in the form of a broadsheet and celebrates the Mexican resistance to the French invasion in 1864. The hat the skeleton wears is derived from Oaxaca as well.  

This image also serves as example of illustration's contribution to cultural identity through the incorporation of Oaxaca culture alongside being example of resistance to dominance/opression as well, evidenced by its celebration of the resistance to French invasion.

1944

Oil on cavas

36 ½ x 28 ½

 

Shown in this piece is the terror of war and the affect it has on those in combat. Realistically painted, the stare depicted is a representation post-traumatic stress induced by the exhaustion and fear of battle.

I think this piece serves a good example of illustration revealing or clarifying a truth. Not many people in America at the time knew about the horrors of war and being on the front lines, and this piece by Lea attempts to capture that intensity and explain where PTSD develops, at the time not known as PTSD.

1896

Published by Kelmscott Press

16 ¾ x 11 ½ 

Wood engraving

 

This piece is pronounced by its combination of lavish borders and simple wood-engraved illustrations. Of all Kelmscott books(books published by Kelmscott Press), this one was the most magnificent evidenced by its intricate decor and balanced typography. 

I think this piece balances the weight of tradition and innovation well.  At the time Kelmscott books brought attention to the idea of a unified book design statement, while the book derives much traditional, ornamental style.

1788

Color woodblock-printed album leaf

10 x 14 ½ 

 

This piece is a form of a shunga, or spring picture, love making scene, where the protagonists are partially clothed and strategically placed openings in the robes create focus towards whatever activity is going on. 

With these types of artwork being mostly forbidden in Japan shows the extent of idea over whether or not these images would be considered high forms of art and what would determine their "harmfulness", due to its usual erotic subject matter. Perhaps I'm looking at this in a very Westernized view since I'm thinking about erotic art here and how its viewed as forms of art.

New Kids in the Neighborhood

Oil on canvas

1967

 

In order to achieve nearly accurate realism in this piece, Norman Rockwell went through great lengths for proper photo references and scenery. These photographs were then transferred and projected, a practice that is considered controversial by fine artists and some illustrators for its apparent artificial support. 

I think this piece acts as a reinforcement of social class, evidenced by the white children's reluctant attitude towards the black children, portraying the black children as "other."  

Woodcut, 

oil based ink on paper

7 ¾ x 10 ¾

1947

 

This piece features dynamic contrasts of value and accentuated direction of action. Hua aimed to inspire an uprising against Chang Kai-shek’s nationalist government. 

I believe this piece is another example of illustration's ability to help resistance movements, as its original purpose was to inspire an oppressed group against a nationalist government.

The Black Panther

June 27^, 1970

 

This piece by Emory Douglas highlights the contributions of women community leaders who fought for justice. Emphasized is the dynamically posed rifle, symbolizing the strength of the woman and her ability to challenge oppression. 

This piece acts as an example of resistance against domination, shown through the strength of the woman holding her weapon, a rather intense and intimidating image, while also powerful and admiring. I believe this acts something disruptive in the public sphere, through encouraging awareness and challenging of the status quo.

1973

Come out comix was an exclusively lesbian comic book, and the first to be so. These comics by Wings provided stories that were not only exclusive experiences, but universal as well. 

I think this piece increases agency for lesbian women , specifically the Come Out Comix series. The focus and centering of usually left out voices allows for these stories to be heard and for proper outlets to be created for marginalized without worry of bias from others.