Illustration to William Cowper's Poem "The Diverting History of John Gilpin": The Calenderer of Ware Offers John Gilpin His Hat and Periwig 1857

This pencil drawing by John Whetten Ehninger is an illustration for William Cowper's poem "The Diverting History of John Gilpin," a humorous tale of a man who takes an unplanned horseback ride. The image depicts John Gilpin, a citizen of London, being offered his hat and wig by a local, while his runaway horse is surrounded by onlookers. The illustration captures the chaos and absurdity of the poem, showcasing a lively scene full of detailed figures and animals. This artwork, created in 1857, resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.