Literal Collection

Silhouette, Sending Coals to Newcastle
Sending Coals to Newcastle -- silhouette showing a mining landscape and three men carrying sacks of coal up a slope

Silhouette, As Mad As A Hatter (or March Hare)
As Mad As A Hatter (or March Hare) -- silhouette based on illustrations to Alice in Wonderland, showing the Mad Hatter and March Hare sitting at the tea table

Silhouette, Hope Springs Eternal in the Human Breast
Hope Springs Eternal in the Human Breast -- silhouette showing a shipwrecked man standing on a raft, waving to a ship on the horizon

Silhouette, Enough to Make a Saint Swear
Enough to Make a Saint Swear -- silhouette showing a monk annoyed to see that a cat has knocked over a jug of milk and is lapping it all up

Silhouette, To Have a Finger in the Pie
To Have a Finger in the Pie -- silhouette of a man in a tall hat (probably a chef) tasting a pie

Comic postcard, Two women chat about men Date: 20th century

VERSAILLES DRAGON POOL
BASSIN DU DRAGON The mythological figures are doubtless added to give artistic effect to the picture rather than being a literal representation of the scene Date: 1688

HOUSE OF CARDS
A literal view of the House of Cards (Parliament and Government). This scene includes Randolph Churchill, Lord Salisbury and Joseph Chamberlain. Date: 1889

Lunatic Asylum humour - Upside down wheelbarrow
Visitor to Dottieville Lunatic Asylum which is undergoing structural improvements (to harmless lunatic who is extremely busy wheeling a barrow upside down)

Silhouette, A Drowning Man Catches at a Straw
A Drowning Man Catches at a Straw -- silhouette showing a man in water, reaching up to a tree branch

Arriving in Hell, 17th century woodcut
Arrival in Hell. 17th century woodcut illustration depicting a group of men arriving in Hell and being met by The Devil. This illustration comes from Compendium maleficarum by Maria Guazzo

Zodiac / Libra (Maxims)
a literal view showing a book keeper balancing the books! Date: 1887

Spain. Philip Vs reign. Nueva Planta Decrees (1716). SPAIN. CATALONIA. Barcelona. Barcelona University Library

One-Legged Race
July 1916: A very literal one-legged race held during a garden party for wounded soldiers at Roehampton House. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Comic caricature in a lunatic asylum by Phil May
Dottieville Lunatic Asylum Visitor to the Asylum - " Is that Clock Right?" The Dotty One - " O course it ain, or it wouldn t be here." Date: 1900

Silhouette, To Lay Up for a Rainy Day
To Lay Up for a Rainy Day -- silhouette showing a squirrel putting nuts aside for survival during the winter

Silhouette, An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away -- silhouette showing two schoolchildren, a girl and a boy, walking along eating an apple each

Silhouette, One Sows and Another Reaps
One Sows and Another Reaps -- silhouette showing a farm worker sowing seeds in a field, with horses pulling a plough in the background

Silhouette, The Fat is in the Fire
The Fat is in the Fire -- silhouette of a conflagration

Silhouette, Its an Ill Wind That Blows Nobody Any Good
Its an Ill Wind That Blows Nobody Any Good -- silhouette showing three people struggling along a street on a wet and windy day

Silhouette, Early to Bed, Early to Rise
Early to Bed, Early to Rise -- silhouette showing a little boy standing in front of his bed, stretching and yawning

Silhouette, The Last Drop Makes the Cup Overflow

Silhouette, Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow

Silhouette, To Hit the Nail on the Head
To Hit the Nail on the Head -- silhouette showing three children watching their father hammer a nail into the wall

Twelve proverbial silhouettes given a literal depiction: the fat is in the fire, to have a finger in the pie, sending coals to Newcastle, one sows and another reaps

Silhouette, Straws Show Which Way the Wind Blows
Straws Show Which Way the Wind Blows -- silhouette showing a farm labourer loading straw onto a cart on a windy day

Silhouette, A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss
A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss -- silhouette showing three stones rolling down a cliff face by the sea

Silhouette, To Fight Like Kilkenny Cats
To Fight Like Kilkenny Cats -- silhouette showing two cats circling each other aggressively, with pawprints visible all around them

Dunderpate tries to put his best leg foremost, as advised by the pedlar, but finds it difficult. Date: 1938

Dunderpate and Susan with the squire
Dunderpate and Susan speak to the squire, who looks down at the offered pair of shoes. They remind him that he offered them a silver crown in return. Date: 1938

Dunderpate offers the squire his shoes, watched by his friend Susan. Date: 1938

Satire on Religious Art
A satire on the literal nature of religious art, with St Anthony preaching to the fishes lampooned

UK EVENT / TOON / 1889
A literal view of the House of Cards (Parliament and Government). This scene includes Lord Salisbury and Joseph Chamberlain

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"Silhouette: A Drowning Man Catches at a Straw" In this captivating silhouette, we witness the desperate struggle of a drowning man. As he fights against the merciless waves, his outstretched hand grasps onto a fragile straw - his last glimmer of hope. This powerful image serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we cling to any chance for survival. Sending Coals to Newcastle: An Unnecessary Endeavor The phrase "sending coals to Newcastle" originates from an English proverb meaning to do something completely unnecessary or redundant. Just like trying to sell coal in Newcastle, some actions seem utterly pointless. Let's reflect on how often we engage in tasks that are already abundant or futilely attempt what is already accomplished. As Mad As A Hatter (or March Hare): Eccentricity Unleashed Step into the whimsical world of Wonderland with this iconic reference. The phrases "mad as a hatter" and "mad as a March hare" epitomize eccentricity and irrational behavior. They remind us that sometimes it takes embracing our quirks and letting go of societal norms to truly experience life's extraordinary adventures. Hope Springs Eternal in the Human Breast: The Power of Optimism This silhouette captures the essence of eternal hope residing within every human heart. Despite facing countless challenges, disappointments, and setbacks, there remains an unwavering belief that better days will come. It reminds us never to lose faith in ourselves or others because hope has the power to ignite change and transform lives. Enough To Make A Saint Swear: Testing One's Patience Life can throw unexpected curveballs our way – situations so exasperating they could make even saints utter profanities. This expression highlights those moments when circumstances push us beyond our limits, testing our patience relentlessly. Remembering this phrase can help us find humor amidst frustration while reminding us that everyone has their breaking point. To Have a Finger in the Pie.