Painting after life

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First image, ‘Painting after life’ shows a skeleton (death) seated before an easel painting a portrait of the obese old man seated opposite and holding a cane. The subject is seated against a blank screen; a portfolio of other works is leaning against the screen. Beside the ‘artist’ is a box of paints and artist supplies.
Second image, ‘Death staring shipwrecked sailors in the face!!!’, shows a skeleton (right) seated on a rock with his head resting in his hands, elbows on his knees as he stares at two shipwrecked sailors (left) on a beach.

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On the verso: an autograph letter from Ebenezer Gerard in Liverpool to Samuel Taylor Liverpool, dated 1826 February 5, in reference to “Prose by a poet” (by Montgomery James) which he compares to his own efforts since his illness, with the address incorporating watercolor and rebus material.

  • Creator :Gerard, E. (Ebenezer).
  • TitlePainting after life [graphic] / E. Gerard pinxt. 19 Parker Street ; Death staring shipwrecked sailors in the face!!! / E. Gerard.

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

826.02.05.01

Acquired July 2015

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