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Absurd Collection (page 2)

"Embracing the Absurd: A Whimsical Journey through Imagination" Step into a world where logic takes a backseat and absurdity reigns supreme

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Look everybody, isn't it splendid, he saved me from drowning (litho)

Look everybody, isn't it splendid, he saved me from drowning (litho)
8663956 Look everybody, isn't it splendid, he saved me from drowning (litho) by Pont (Graham Laidler) (1908-40); Private Collection; (add.info.: "Look everybody, isn't it splendid)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Scene from 'Serve Him Right', at the Lyceum Theatre, 1850. Creator: Unknown

Scene from "Serve Him Right", at the Lyceum Theatre, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Scene from "Serve Him Right", at the Lyceum Theatre, [London], 1850. The accompanying Illustration gives one of the most entertaining scenes in the drama of "Serve Him Right"

Background imageAbsurd Collection: A woman too fat for the donkey ride (colour litho)

A woman too fat for the donkey ride (colour litho)
3094552 A woman too fat for the donkey ride (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A woman too fat for the donkey ride)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Samuel Beckett, Irish playwright, novelist and poet

Samuel Beckett, Irish playwright, novelist and poet
Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), Irish avant-garde playwright, novelist and poet. Photographed in the year he won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Date: 1969

Background imageAbsurd Collection: MARIE ANTOINETTE TRIAL

MARIE ANTOINETTE TRIAL
The queen is sentenced to death. Among many absurd charges, she is accused of corrupting her son with perverse habits. Date: 16 October 1793

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Fashionables of 1817, 1817 (hand-coloured etching)

Fashionables of 1817, 1817 (hand-coloured etching)
5043062 Fashionables of 1817, 1817 (hand-coloured etching) by Cruikshank, George (1792-1878); 33x25.4 cm; Manchester Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Coloured caricature of man and woman)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: March of the modern Don Quixote for the defense of the mill of abuse, 1791 (engraving)

March of the modern Don Quixote for the defense of the mill of abuse, 1791 (engraving)
ELD4927642 March of the modern Don Quixote for the defense of the mill of abuse, 1791 (engraving) by French School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Caricature depicting German army officers strutting arrogantly across the Grand Place in occupied

Caricature depicting German army officers strutting arrogantly across the Grand Place in occupied Brussels, Belgium
6000417 Caricature depicting German army officers strutting arrogantly across the Grand Place in occupied Brussels, Belgium, World War I, 1916 (colour litho) by Damblans

Background imageAbsurd Collection: The Fool Dreaming Of The Land Of Milk And Honey, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)

The Fool Dreaming Of The Land Of Milk And Honey, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper)
7308546 The Fool Dreaming Of The Land Of Milk And Honey, 1660-86 (brush and Indian ink on paper) by Stettler, Wilhelm (1643-1708); 11.5x10.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Background imageAbsurd Collection: The Amateur Photographer (colour litho)

The Amateur Photographer (colour litho)
3094537 The Amateur Photographer (colour litho) by Browne, Tom (1872-1910); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Amateur Photographer. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Man flirting with his secretary (colour litho)

Man flirting with his secretary (colour litho)
3094675 Man flirting with his secretary (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Man flirting with his secretary)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: 'There was an Old Man of the Nile, who sharpened his nails with a file', from A Book of Nonsense

"There was an Old Man of the Nile, who sharpened his nails with a file", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386663 " There was an Old Man of the Nile, who sharpened his nails with a file", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

Background imageAbsurd Collection: 'There was an Old Person of Buda, whose conduct grew ruder and ruder', from A Book of Nonsense

"There was an Old Person of Buda, whose conduct grew ruder and ruder", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386658 " There was an Old Person of Buda, whose conduct grew ruder and ruder", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

Background imageAbsurd Collection: A Croquet Match (coloured engraving)

A Croquet Match (coloured engraving)
2818064 A Croquet Match (coloured engraving) by Leech, John (1817-64) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Croquet Match)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Alarming Prospect, the Single Ladies off to the Diggings (coloured engraving)

Alarming Prospect, the Single Ladies off to the Diggings (coloured engraving)
2818057 Alarming Prospect, the Single Ladies off to the Diggings (coloured engraving) by Leech, John (1817-64) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Alarming Prospect)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Progress of Bloomerism, or a Complete Change (coloured engraving)

Progress of Bloomerism, or a Complete Change (coloured engraving)
2818056 Progress of Bloomerism, or a Complete Change (coloured engraving) by Leech, John (1817-64) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Progress of Bloomerism, or a Complete Change)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: 'There was an Old Man of Quebec- a beetle ran over his neck', from A Book of Nonsense

"There was an Old Man of Quebec- a beetle ran over his neck", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386693 " There was an Old Man of Quebec- a beetle ran over his neck", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

Background imageAbsurd Collection: 'There was an Old Man on some rocks, who shut up his wife in a box', from A Book of Nonsense

"There was an Old Man on some rocks, who shut up his wife in a box", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386668 " There was an Old Man on some rocks, who shut up his wife in a box", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Hoisting the Chaperone (litho)

Hoisting the Chaperone (litho)
1090688 Hoisting the Chaperone (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hoisting the Chaperone)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: 'There was an Old Man with a poker, who painted his face with red ochre', from A Book of Nonsense

"There was an Old Man with a poker, who painted his face with red ochre", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386605 " There was an Old Man with a poker, who painted his face with red ochre", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

Background imageAbsurd Collection: 'There was an Old Person of Tartary, who divided his jugular artery', from A Book of Nonsense

"There was an Old Person of Tartary, who divided his jugular artery", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386709 " There was an Old Person of Tartary, who divided his jugular artery", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Interesting treatment of cattle on an argentine stock farm to make the meat tender

Interesting treatment of cattle on an argentine stock farm to make the meat tender and soft before killing (litho)
1090703 Interesting treatment of cattle on an argentine stock farm to make the meat tender and soft before killing (litho) by Robinson

Background imageAbsurd Collection: 'There was a Young Person of Smyrna, whose Grandmother threatened to burn her'

"There was a Young Person of Smyrna, whose Grandmother threatened to burn her", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386632 " There was a Young Person of Smyrna, whose Grandmother threatened to burn her", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

Background imageAbsurd Collection: 'There was an Old Man of Nepaul, from his horse had a terrible fall', from A Book of Nonsense

"There was an Old Man of Nepaul, from his horse had a terrible fall", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386612 " There was an Old Man of Nepaul, from his horse had a terrible fall", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

Background imageAbsurd Collection: A sailor brings a lame horse into court as evidence, Napoleonic, 1835 (lithograph)

A sailor brings a lame horse into court as evidence, Napoleonic, 1835 (lithograph)
7235381 A sailor brings a lame horse into court as evidence, Napoleonic, 1835 (lithograph) by Cruikshank, George (1792-1878); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Ship of Fools with skeleton, 18th century. 1803 (engraving)

Ship of Fools with skeleton, 18th century. 1803 (engraving)
7233116 Ship of Fools with skeleton, 18th century. 1803 (engraving) by Deuchar, David (1743-1808); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Matthew Robinson Morris, 2nd Baron Rokeby, 1712-1800. 1869 (lithograph)

Matthew Robinson Morris, 2nd Baron Rokeby, 1712-1800. 1869 (lithograph)
7232936 Matthew Robinson Morris, 2nd Baron Rokeby, 1712-1800. 1869 (lithograph) by Cooper, Robert (fl.1800-36); Private Collection; (add.info.: Matthew Robinson Morris, 2nd Baron Rokeby, 1712-1800)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)

IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)
7178135 IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)

IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)
7178153 IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The defeat of the Lion and Crocodile)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)

IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)
7178138 IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Baron besieges Seringapatam)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)

IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)
7178136 IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Baron knighting the Fish-Woman)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: A Jain temple on Mount Abu (litho)

A Jain temple on Mount Abu (litho)
7171063 A Jain temple on Mount Abu (litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Jain temple on Mount Abu)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)

IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)
7178149 IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Baron on his Voyage to Africa)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: The Jolly Sailor (colour litho)

The Jolly Sailor (colour litho)
7181920 The Jolly Sailor (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Jolly Sailor)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)

IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)
7178143 IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)

IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving)
7178134 IIlustration for the Adventures of Baron Munchausen (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Baron takes leave of the Royal Family)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Baron Munchausen (engraving)

Baron Munchausen (engraving)
7178129 Baron Munchausen (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Baron Munchausen. Illustration for The Travels and Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Oops

Oops
Franky De Meyer

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Punchinello with the Ostriches, c. 1800 (pen & light brown ink (probably bistre

Punchinello with the Ostriches, c. 1800 (pen & light brown ink (probably bistre
3700636 Punchinello with the Ostriches, c.1800 (pen & light brown ink (probably bistre) and brush wash over black chalk on laid paper) by Tiepolo

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Cover illustration for Railway Ribaldry by W Heath Robinson (litho)

Cover illustration for Railway Ribaldry by W Heath Robinson (litho)
5198697 Cover illustration for Railway Ribaldry by W Heath Robinson (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Mr Ferret at Work (litho)

Mr Ferret at Work (litho)
6020376 Mr Ferret at Work (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr Ferret at Work. Illustration for Butterscotia or A Cheap Trip to Fairy Land by His Honour Judge)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: The Great Seal blesses the Princesses (litho)

The Great Seal blesses the Princesses (litho)
6020366 The Great Seal blesses the Princesses (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Great Seal blesses the Princesses)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: 'Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and now, dammit, hunting'(litho)

"Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and now, dammit, hunting"(litho)
6013347 " Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and now, dammit, hunting" (litho) by Pont (Graham Laidler) (1908-40); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Punch cartoon: The Nose Comforter - man protecting his nose against the cold (engraving)

Punch cartoon: The Nose Comforter - man protecting his nose against the cold (engraving)
6034687 Punch cartoon: The Nose Comforter - man protecting his nose against the cold (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Lewis Carroll (b / w photo)

Lewis Carroll (b / w photo)
5668963 Lewis Carroll (b/w photo) by Rejlander, Oscar Gustav (1813-1875); (add.info.: Victorian photograph taken by Oscar Gustave Rejlander (1813-1875). Photograph of original cabinet card

Background imageAbsurd Collection: English cartoon mocking the fashion for women wearing feather headdresses, 1790 (litho)

English cartoon mocking the fashion for women wearing feather headdresses, 1790 (litho)
5208520 English cartoon mocking the fashion for women wearing feather headdresses, 1790 (litho) by Gillray, James (1757-1815) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: French cartoon lampooning womens hairstyles of the time, 1780 (litho)

French cartoon lampooning womens hairstyles of the time, 1780 (litho)
5208501 French cartoon lampooning womens hairstyles of the time, 1780 (litho) by French School, (18th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageAbsurd Collection: Feather Dusters in Fashion (engraving)

Feather Dusters in Fashion (engraving)
972640 Feather Dusters in Fashion (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Feather Dusters in Fashion)



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"Embracing the Absurd: A Whimsical Journey through Imagination" Step into a world where logic takes a backseat and absurdity reigns supreme. From the mind of William Heath Robinson, we are introduced to the Pea Apparatus - a contraption so convoluted it could only exist in dreams. In this topsy-turvy realm, even mundane tasks like mixing treated asbestos fiber become an outlandish spectacle. Witness the Heath Robinson machine, an intricate web of gears and pulleys that defy all reason. But let us not forget the words of that old man with a beard who warned us long ago - "It is just as I feared. " As we delve deeper into this nonsensical universe, we encounter anti-flu masks that transform faces into peculiar creatures from another dimension. And what about those living in flat life? The tenant on the top floor finds solace amidst their urban surroundings by enjoying all the amenities of a back garden. Oh, how delightful it must be to escape reality's constraints. Life itself can sometimes feel like one damned thing after another, but why not embrace its absurdities? With colorful illustrations from Railway Ribaldry and Widecombe Fair, W. Heath Robinson invites us to revel in whimsy and find joy in unexpected places. As we journey further into this fantastical landscape, we stumble upon rock formations resembling parading elephants in Arches National Park. And who can resist chuckling at Troupes anglaises' camp baggage from 1815 - surely no army would dare carry such comically oversized trunks. But perhaps most enchanting is Queeriflora Babyoides; an engraving depicting flowers with personalities as eccentric as their namesake suggests. In this world where imagination knows no bounds, anything becomes possible. So why not go beyond limits? For those ladies seeking equality even when it comes to smoking rights – here's a tongue-in-cheek suggestion to go the extra mile.