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Richard Doyle , English, 1824-1883

Title

The Lion Licks his Lips afterwards

MediumGraphite on paper

Dimensions

15.3 x 23 cm

Credit LinePresented, Dr Brendan O'Brien, 1982

Object numberNGI.7981

DescriptionThis drawing, part of a sequence of twelve sketches, tells the tragic story of a boy who 'didn't care'. They were probably drawn for a young Thomas Spring Rice (1849-1926), son of Doyle's friend the Baron Monteagle of Brandon. Moral tales for children were popular in the 19th century. Some of the best known are in Hilaire Belloc's 'The Bad Child's Book of Beasts' (1896). It includes the cautionary tale 'Jim', about a boy who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion.
Inscriptionlower centre (in graphite): The Lion licks his Lips afterwards;
upper right (in graphite): (10)