
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
- 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.