King George IV and the Marchioness of Conyngham grieve over the body of a dead giraffe, which had been sent to them by Mehmet Ali, Pasha of Egypt. There is a black mourning border around the image. Left, two Nubians lament. Right, the Lord Chancellor Lord Eldon plays a dirge on the bagpipes (the King called him “Old Bags” because of the purse containing the Privy Seal carried by the Lord Chancellor), while next to him are a pillbox and a prescription signed “Abe[rne]thy”, representing unsuccessful medicine for the giraffe.
- Title: Le mort
- Creator: Doyle, John
- Published: London, August 11, 1829
829.08.11.01+
Acquired July 2024