Two sailors with amputated legs, an eyepatch and an amputated arm moving with the aid of crutches. Etching by S.B., 1783.

  • B. S.
Date:
20 September 1783
Reference:
43959i
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Description

The two maimed sailors support themselves on crutches on the irregular cobble-stones of a London street. The sailor on the left holds his hat in his left hand as if begging, a crutch under his arm; his left leg is amputated, his right arm, which is without a hand, is raised towards his face, his right eye is bandaged. The sailor on the right is in back view and has lost his right leg and supports himself on two crutches

Publication/Creation

[London] (116 Strand) : W. Dent, 20 September 1783.

Physical description

1 print : etching ; image 18.4 x 22.6 cm

Lettering

The sailor's return, or British valor rewarded.S.B. "Some, for hard masters, broken under arms," "In battle lopt away, with half their limbs" "Beg bitter bread, tho' realms their valor sav'd- Young's Night Thoughts Six lines of lettering in ink at the top and bottom of the print elaborate on the political events of 1783

Creator/production credits

The poem quoted beneath the print is Edward Young's (1683-1765) "The Complaint:or, Night Thoughts (1742-45), a long, didactic poem on death

References note

Dorothy George, Catalogue of political and personal satires, London, British Museum Publications Ltd., 1978, vol. V, p. 730, no. 6262

Reference

Wellcome Collection 43959i

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