Of All Foolish Things... n.d.

John Leech created this small pen and watercolor drawing, sometime in his short life. It hangs in The Art Institute of Chicago. The subdued tones of brown, black, and gray create a scene of damp foolishness. A man has fallen through the ice of a pond. Leech uses sharp, thin lines to define the figures and the bare trees in the background, emphasizing the precariousness of the situation. The dark silhouette of the standing man in the foreground anchors the composition, while the figure struggling in the water is off-center, highlighting his vulnerability. The sign reading "DANGEROL" adds a layer of semiotic irony, undermining any sense of security. The overall composition reveals how Leech uses formal elements to convey a satirical message, pointing to the absurdity of human behavior in the face of obvious risks, and questioning established social orders through humor. This drawing invites us to reflect on how art destabilizes our understanding of social behavior.