‘The Eglinton Tournament’ (plate 2), 1840. A lithographic print, drawn by Doyle directly onto the stone. 10¼ x 14½ inches. A series of amusing vignettes, charting various types of comedic incompetence as the aristocrats struggle to lift gigantic swords or mount their horses. The series’ tone is summarized by the central equestrian group in the upper section, which shows the arrogant prancing of a modern medieval with a jester about to crown him with a bladder – the mock-heroic undermining the heroic by showing it is all a silly pretence.
Photograph and text by Simon Cooke. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one. [Click on the image to enlarge it.]
Bibliography
Doyle, Richard. The Tournament. London: Dickinson, 1840.
Created 12 October 2023