This is a drawing of a large, robed figure and a skeleton wearing a top hat. The drawing depicts an encounter between a large seated figure with flowing hair, who appears to be holding the shoulders of a skeletal figure in a top hat standing before them. The background shows clouds surrounding the two figures. The style conveys a sense of whimsy and dark humor, emphasized by the title "Why Did I Do It?" inscribed below. The linework is detailed yet minimal, focusing attention on the characters and their interaction.
Read the visual description

This is a drawing of a large, robed figure and a skeleton wearing a top hat. The drawing depicts an encounter between a large seated figure with flowing hair, who appears to be holding the shoulders of a skeletal figure in a top hat standing before them. The background shows clouds surrounding the two figures. The style conveys a sense of whimsy and dark humor, emphasized by the title "Why Did I Do It?" inscribed below. The linework is detailed yet minimal, focusing attention on the characters and their interaction.

National Gallery of Art · Print

"Why Did I Do It?"

Will Dyson

Medium
drypoint
Classification
Print
Accession number
1943.3.3712
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1876 to 1900
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • figure
  • British
  • Male figure
  • Hat
  • Skull
  • Cloud

NGA object ID 6830. 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.