Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Royalty
The Death of Ellen Bright at Wombwells Menagerie, 1850
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
The Death of Ellen Bright at Wombwells Menagerie, 1850
Engraving showing Ellen Bright (1832-1850), a Lion Queen animal trainer, being attacked by a tiger during the course of a performance at Wombwells Menagerie, Chatham, January 1850. Ellen Bright sustained fatal wounds from the tigers attack and died shortly thereafter
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4391709
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10219950
1832 1850 Attack Attacked Bright Chatham Course Died Ellen Fatal Menagerie Performance Shortly Sustained Tiger Trainer Wounds January
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Mammals
> Cats (Wild)
> Lion
> Animals
> Mammals
> Cats (Wild)
> Tiger
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Royalty
EDITORS COMMENTS
This haunting engraving depicts the tragic moment known as The Death of Ellen Bright, which occurred during a performance at Wombwell's Menagerie in Chatham, England, on January 7, 1850. The image shows Ellen Bright, a brave and skilled animal trainer, being attacked by a tiger during the course of her act. Born in 1832, Ellen had earned a reputation for her daring performances with big cats, and her popularity drew large crowds to the menagerie. On this fateful day, as Ellen stood before the tiger, she extended her hand to offer it a piece of meat. But the wild beast, perhaps startled or agitated, lunged at her instead. The image captures the moment of impact, with Ellen's white dress billowing around her as the tiger's jaws clamp down on her arm. The expression on her face is one of shock and pain, yet she maintains a determined gaze. Despite the best efforts of the menagerie staff and local doctors, Ellen's wounds proved fatal. She died shortly after the attack, leaving behind a husband and young daughter. The tragic incident caused a public outcry, with many questioning the safety of such performances. The death of Ellen Bright marked a turning point in the history of animal acts, leading to increased regulation and safety measures to protect both performers and animals. This poignant engraving serves as a reminder of the risks and sacrifices made by those who dared to tame the wild beasts of the world for our entertainment. It is a stark reminder of the delicate balance between man and beast, and the consequences of pushing that boundary too far.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
