This is a drawing titled "An Unkind Wish". It features two figures in a humorous style. One figure is on the left, wearing baggy clothing and a hat, while the other figure on the right is tall and thin, wearing a suit and top hat. The thin figure is holding a cane. Above them is a caption that reads, "May your Shadow never be less!" The drawing is signed by George Cruikshank. At the bottom, there are quick sketches of other figures engaged in various activities. The artwork uses simple lines with some watercolor washes.
Read the visual description

This is a drawing titled "An Unkind Wish". It features two figures in a humorous style. One figure is on the left, wearing baggy clothing and a hat, while the other figure on the right is tall and thin, wearing a suit and top hat. The thin figure is holding a cane. Above them is a caption that reads, "May your Shadow never be less!" The drawing is signed by George Cruikshank. At the bottom, there are quick sketches of other figures engaged in various activities. The artwork uses simple lines with some watercolor washes.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

An Unkind Wish

George Cruikshank

Date
c. 1833
Medium
pen and brown ink with watercolor on wove paper
Dimensions
sheet: 10.5 x 16.3 cm (4 1/8 x 6 7/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2009.70.100
Credit line
Joseph F. McCrindle Collection
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Costume
  • Man
  • Figures
  • Wall
  • Writing
Provenance

Joseph F. McCrindle [1923-2008], New York; Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation, 2008; gift to NGA, 2009.

Inscription

by artist, upper center in pen and brown ink: "May your Shadow never be less"!; by artist, center in pen and brown ink: An Unkind wish.; signed by artist, lower center in pen and black ink: George Cruikshank (underlined)

NGA object ID 143794. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.