Print of Humphreys enthroned after defeat of Jewish boxer Mendoza

Identifier
irn538271
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2016.184.159
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • English
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

overall: Height: 13.500 inches (34.29 cm) | Width: 19.250 inches (48.895 cm)

Creator(s)

Biographical History

The Katz Ehrenthal Collection is a collection of more than 900 objects depicting Jews and antisemitic and anti-Jewish propaganda from the medieval to the modern era, in Europe, Russia, and the United States. The collection was amassed by Peter Ehrenthal, a Romanian Holocaust survivor, to document the pervasive history of anti-Jewish hatred in Western art, politics and popular culture. It includes crude folk art as well as pieces created by Europe's finest craftsmen, prints and periodical illustrations, posters, paintings, decorative art, and toys and everyday household items decorated with depictions of stereotypical Jewish figures.

Daniel Mendoza was born on July 5, 1764, in Aldgate, London, England, to a large, poor Sephardic family descended from Spanish Marranos. He was apprenticed to a glass cutter. At 16, Mendoza began training with Richard Humphreys, a professional bareknuckle boxer. There were no weight classes in boxing, and the 5 foot 7 inch, 160 pound Mendoza had to face larger opponents. To compensate, he developed a technical style that emphasized footwork, jabbing, agility, speed, and and introduced the concept of defense. He rose to prominence quickly, fighting as Mendoza the Jew, and was the first Jewish figher to become champion. Mendoza fought approximately 35 professional fights, losing only 4, and was Champion of England from 1792-1795. Mendoza became one of the most celebrated figures in 18th century England. His image and, most frequently, the story of his three bouts with his mentor Humphreys, were portrayed in prints, tableware, and other merchandise. The Prince of Wales was a patron, and this royal acceptance was beneficial to Jews throughout British society. Jews had been expelled from England in 1296, and not permitted to return untl 1656. Mendoza opened several boxing academies where he taught his scientific approach to the sport, known as the Mendoza or Jewish school, and published a book, The Art of Boxing. He also performed touring demonstrations. He was married and had 11 children. Mendoza, 72, died on September 3, 1836.

Archival History

The print was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2016 by the Katz family.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of the Katz Family

Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

Scope and Content

Satirical color etching by Thomas Harmar of an allegorical triumphal parade by Richard Humphreys after his victory against Jewish boxer Daniel Mendoza, who was badly injured in their match on January 9, 1788, in Odiham, England. Mendoza’s loss gave his former mentor and his supporters the opportunity to boast about defeating the popular Jew. This was the first of three matches to decide who fought the champion. Mendoza beat Humphreys in 1789 and 1790. Billed as Mendoza the Jew, he held the title of Champion of England from 1792 to 1795, and was the first prominent Jewish prizefighter in England. Mendoza was smaller than his opponents, and won bouts by superior technique, speed, and agility. His style, known as the Mendoza or Jewish school, is credited with inspiring a generation of boxers and establishing elements of modern boxing. The print is one of the more than 900 items in the Katz Ehrenthal Collection of antisemitic artifacts and visual materials.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

No restrictions on use

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Print of an etching, handcolored, on paper with an allegorical drawing of a triumphal procession for a boxing champion being led by a man in a military uniform, General George Hanger, carrying a banner with the slogan: Long live Humphries [sic] the Victorious, who in a bloody fight overcame the 12 Tribes of Israel Hallelu. Halle. In the center sits a muscular, bare chested man in breeches with unkempt hair, Humphreys, hands on hips, in a wooden chair being carried by his supporters: in front, in blue frock coat and breeches, the Prince of Wales, next to a rotund man in green jacket and butcher's apron, Nathaniel Newnham, member of Parliament. Behind on the left walks a man in a red archbishop's gown. In the right background, in subdued colors, a man in a brown frock coat, Major Edward Topham, stands on a mound, blowing a trumpet with the phrase: The Hero of the World! A bare-chested, bearded Mendoza sits on the ground, supported by a Rabbi as a Jewish man tends to his bleeding mouth. Behind them, a man in a black frock coat reads from a book titled Talmud, Lord George Gordon, a famous convert. They march across a grassy knoll with a rolling landscape in the background.

front, bottom left corner, pencil : LORD GORDON

People

Subjects

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.