Pathetic Collection

Telescopic Philanthropy, 1865. Artist: John Tenniel
Telescopic Philanthropy, 1865. Little London Arab. Please M, Ain t We Black Enough to be Cared For? (With Mr. Punchs Compliments to Lord Stanley.) In his novel, Bleak House

Vaslav Nijinsky / Clown
VASLAV NIJINSKY Russian ballet dancer and choreographer, seen here in the role of Petrushka Date: 1890 - 1950

Mr Punch showing Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, the pathetic condition of British workers used as sweated labour
527912 Mr Punch showing Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, the pathetic condition of British workers used as sweated labour

The Actor Asao Tamejuro I as Drunken Gotobei in the Play Yoshitsune Koshigoe Jo... c. 1790. Creator: Katsukawa Shunsen
The Actor Asao Tamejuro I as Drunken Gotobei in the Play Yoshitsune Koshigoe Jo, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Ninth Month, 1790, Japan, c. 1790

Illustration for The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith (litho)
6028845 Illustration for The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith (litho) by Sullivan, Edmund Joseph (1869-1933); Private Collection; (add.info)

Bow Street (colour litho)
2803060 Bow Street (colour litho) by Cruikshank, Isaac Robert (1789-1856) & George (1792-1878); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bow Street)

How an Enterprising Editor lost a Balloon and a Correspondent (chromolitho)
1043451 How an Enterprising Editor lost a Balloon and a Correspondent (chromolitho) by Ralston, William (1848-1911) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Mayor of Casterbridge (engraving)
1061786 The Mayor of Casterbridge (engraving) by Barnes, Robert (1840-95); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Mayor of Casterbridge)

Belgium by George Ranstead
Drawing on a postcard showing a small child looking cold and frightened, meant to represent Belgium which had fallen to German forces in the first few weeks of the First World War

Suffragette Lonely Eastbourne Maiden. The Pathetic Appeal of the Lonely Eastbourne Maiden, Includes the lines, Beware young men

Argan and Monsieur Purgon, from Le Malade Imaginaire (1673) by Moliere
XIR164891 Argan and Monsieur Purgon, from Le Malade Imaginaire (1673) by Moliere (1622-73) (pen & ink on paper) (b/w photo) by Grandville (Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard) (1803-47)

Mars Tied Down
Mars, God of War, allows the Geneva Peace Conference to tie him down - before he does his celebrated escaping trick, breaking their pathetic strings Date: 1932

Prisoners Summoned
Each day, an official comes into the prisons with a list of those scheduled for guillotining : the pathetic scenes are a favourite subject for artists

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In the world of art and literature, there are moments that capture the essence of human emotion, revealing a glimpse into our deepest vulnerabilities. From Vaslav Nijinsky's haunting portrayal of a tormented clown to Sandro Botticelli's poignant depiction of lamentation over the dead, these masterpieces evoke a sense of pathos that resonates with viewers across time. One such example is John Tenniel's "Telescopic Philanthropy" from 1865. Through intricate detail and skillful composition, Tenniel invites us to contemplate the futility of distant acts of charity when true empathy requires closeness and understanding. Botticelli's "The Lamentation over the Dead" further explores this theme by presenting a scene filled with sorrow and despair. The figures' expressions reveal their profound grief as they mourn their lost loved ones, reminding us of our shared vulnerability in the face of loss. Moving beyond visual arts, we encounter works like "Pity the Poor Negro. " by an unknown artist in 1827. This watercolor on paper piece serves as a stark reminder of historical injustices and societal prejudices that have plagued humanity for centuries. Oliver Goldsmith's novel "The Vicar of Wakefield" also provides insight into human frailty through its lithographic illustrations. These images depict characters facing adversity with resilience but also expose their vulnerability to life's hardships. Even comedic works can offer glimpses into our collective pathos. In W Heath Robinson's vignette illustration for "Railway Ribaldry, " absurd scenarios highlight both our capacity for laughter and our susceptibility to misfortune. From suffragettes fighting for equality in Eastbourne to enterprising editors losing balloons and correspondents, these diverse examples demonstrate how artists throughout history have captured moments that elicit feelings ranging from sympathy to amusement. In all these instances, whether tragic or humorous, we find ourselves confronted with aspects of our own existence: vulnerability, fragility, and the universal need for compassion.