Our Young Gentleman of the Law
Date1908
Artist
Howard Pyle
(American illustrator, 1853–1911)
Illustration Citation"The Mysterious Chest," by Howard Pyle, in Harper's Monthly Magazine, December 1908
MediumOil on board
Dimensions11 1/2 × 4 in. (29.2 × 10.2 cm)
frame: 17 1/4 × 9 5/8 in. (43.8 × 24.4 cm)
frame: 17 1/4 × 9 5/8 in. (43.8 × 24.4 cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, 1920
Object number1920-5
On View
Not on viewClassificationsPAINTING
Label TextHoward Pyle's story revolves around a locked cedar chest delivered on a British ship to New York City in 1793. When it is discovered to contain a severed head, each person who encounters the chest leaves it at someone else's door. One recipient convinces this lawyer (seen here) to advise him on disposing of the head; the lawyer then realizes that it is a wax replica. The chest and its head finally reach their rightful destination, a waxwork exhibition.
