A Rider Falls into Water 1780 - 1820

Henry William Bunbury animated this sheet with pen and watercolor around the late 18th century. A central motif here is the skeleton hanging from a gibbet, a stark symbol of death, traditionally intended to deter criminals. Yet, observe its eerie presence here, juxtaposed with the chaotic scene of a rider falling into water. The skeleton, often a memento mori, has roots stretching back to ancient Egypt, where they were used in banquets to remind guests of their mortality. Here, however, it seems to mock the folly of the hunt, perhaps a comment on the transience and absurdity of human endeavors. The image as a whole hints at the ever-repeating cycle of life and death, and the precariousness of existence. The skeleton is a stark reminder of our ultimate fate, while the chaotic tumble speaks to the unpredictable nature of life. These images echo through time, reminding us of our shared human condition.