The Fall of Icarus
Lord Chancellor Brougham is here cast as Icarus falling through the air after flying too close to the sun (the sun in this image contains the face of William IV). His collapsing wings are lettered "Edinburgh Review," "Society of useful knowledge," "Penny Encyclopædia," "Morning Chronicle," and "Globe," all journals to which the Chancellor contributed articles to praised the king (and by extension himself). The image suggests that recent speeches given during a provicinal tour implied too great a degree of familiarity with the monarch, whose hot response is here to melt the wax of his minister's great seal, causing him to fall from office.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Fall of Icarus
- Series/Portfolio: HB Sketches, No. 354
- Artist: John Doyle (Irish, Dublin 1797–1868 London)
- Publisher: Thomas McLean (British, 1788–1875)
- Lithographer: Ducôte and Stephen (British, active 1830–40)
- Subject: Henry Peter Brougham (British, Edinburgh 1778–1868 Cannes, France)
- Subject: William IV, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (British, 1765–1837)
- Date: November 29, 1834
- Medium: Lithograph
- Dimensions: Sheet: 17 3/16 × 11 11/16 in. (43.7 × 29.7 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2014
- Object Number: 2014.757.5(15)
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
August 5, 1833
Multiple artists/makers
December 11, 1834
Multiple artists/makers
1836
Multiple artists/makers
mid-19th century
Multiple artists/makers
April 3, 1838
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.