Futile Collection

Armadillo Lizard (Cordylus cataphractus) biting its own tail while trying to roll into a defensive ball, captive, from South Africa

Colonel Charles Sibthorp as Don Quixote attacking a steam engine
5308383 Colonel Charles Sibthorp as Don Quixote attacking a steam engine.; (add.info.: Cartoon depicting Colonel Charles Sibthorp as Don Quixote attacking a steam engine)

Knut the Great (Canut or Knud, 984-1035) orders the sea to withdraw - King Canute commanding the sea to retire
FLO4607610 Knut the Great (Canut or Knud, 984-1035) orders the sea to withdraw - King Canute commanding the sea to retire. Copperplate engraving by J

AI Image - An illustration of King Canute commanding the...tide to halt, early 11th century, (2023)
AI Image - An illustration of King Canute commanding the incoming tide to halt, early 11th century, (2023). Canute (died 1035 CE) was King of England from 1016

Cartoon, Excelsior! (Suffragist as Sisyphus)
Cartoon, Excelsior! A Suffragette depicted as Sisyphus pushing the large boulder of Womens Suffrage up the Parliament Hill

Victorian satire, Dog chasing its tail
Vintage engraving of Victorian satire, Dog chasing its tail, 19th Century. Life is too oft a hopeless round, For sonething that is never found: In striving to make both ends meet

Uncrossing the Crosses on a Hot + Bun
A contraption for removing the cross on a hot cross bun left over from Easter. Date: 1922

Bajan Rinendo (They Go Down Quarreling) (brush & grey wash on paper)
CH438388 Bajan Rinendo (They Go Down Quarreling) (brush & grey wash on paper) by Goya y Lucientes, Francisco Jose de (1746-1828); 23.4x14.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

The Triumph of Death, c. 1445-47 (fresco)
5642589 The Triumph of Death, c.1445-47 (fresco) by Italian School, (15th century); Palazzo Abatellis, Palermo, Sicily; Photo © Fine Art Images

An April Fool, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
An April Fool, n.d

Cartoon titled The Phrenology Argument - Again with the caption "
5308700 Cartoon titled The Phrenology Argument - Again with the caption " The Futility of Argument" by Du Maurier

The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his
485239 The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his Lantern, 1607 (woodcut) (detail of 485240) by English School

War, 1910 (aquatint engraving)
AFC198092 War, 1910 (aquatint engraving) by Klinger, Max (1857-1920); 32.1x36.4 cm; Private Collection; German, out of copyright

The Greenlanders supper appropriated by a bear, 1859 (litho)
931456 The Greenlanders supper appropriated by a bear, 1859 (litho) by May, Walter William (1831-96); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Fox Steaming out of the rolling pack, 1859 (litho)
931430 The Fox Steaming out of the rolling pack, 1859 (litho) by May, Walter William (1831-96); Private Collection; (add.info)

La Republique De Liberia (engraving)
2789249 La Republique De Liberia (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: La Republique De Liberia. Illustration for Journal Des Voyages, 16 January 1881)

There was an Old Man in a Marsh, whose manners were futile and harsh (litho)
966258 There was an Old Man in a Marsh, whose manners were futile and harsh (litho) by Lear, Edward (1812-88); Private Collection; (add.info.: There was an Old Man in a Marsh)

Punch cartoon: A Trump Card(igan) - James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan
6034691 Punch cartoon: A Trump Card(igan) - James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, leading the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War (engraving)

Interior of the Observatory, 1859 (litho)
931454 Interior of the Observatory, 1859 (litho) by May, Walter William (1831-96); Private Collection; (add.info.: The steam yacht Fox was the vessel commanded by Francis Leopold McClintock on an)

Sisyphus, illustration from Mythologie de la Jeunesse
XEE3427405 Sisyphus, illustration from Mythologie de la Jeunesse, 1803 (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; Stefano Bianchetti; French, out of copyright

Dry-Land Sailors (colour litho)
2796497 Dry-Land Sailors (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dry-Land Sailors. Illustration for Chatterbox, 1897.); © Look and Learn

The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his
485240 The Philosopher Diogenes searches for an honest man in the City of London with his Lantern, 1607 (woodcut) (see also 485239) by English School

Eskimos imitating animals to induce Europeans to approach, 1859 (litho)
931455 Eskimos imitating animals to induce Europeans to approach, 1859 (litho) by Young, Allen (1827-1915); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Adventures of Nicholas (engraving)
1038807 The Adventures of Nicholas (engraving) by Corbould, Alfred Chantrey (1852-1920); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Adventures of Nicholas)

Plate 11: Joshua Ordering the Sun to Stand Still, from The Battles of the Ol... ca
Plate 11: Joshua Ordering the Sun to Stand Still, from The Battles of the Old Testament, ca. 1590-ca. 1610

Weighing Squirmy Baby Date: 1947

The New Mrs Partington. The new Mrs Partington (of the Anti-suffrage Society) Somehow the tide keeps rising! Depicts Mrs Partington in a futile attempt to hold back the huge tide of support for

Caricature of Norman Angell, writer and politician
Caricature of Sir Ralph Norman Angell (1872-1967), writer, lecturer and Labour politician. Best known for his book, The Great Illusion (1910), arguing against war from an economic point of view

Damage caused by British mines and guns on the Western Front
Officers examining the damage caused by an explosion of a British mine underneath the enemies position during the Battle of the Somme

Results of British mines and guns on the Somme
Officers examining the damage caused by an explosion of a British mine underneath the enemies position during the Battle of the Somme

A German 15cm Siege gun
A photograph showing a German gun captured by French soldiers during the Battle of the Somme. Intended to be a decisive breakthrough

Aeneas family fleeing Troy 1595 Engraving Sheet
Artokoloro

Futile effort of the Greeks to burn the Venetian fleet, Jan Luyken, Timotheus ten Hoorn, 1683

Mandarin Duck in Freefall (E)

Weapons on the British Front
A photograph of British howitzers in action during the bombardment of the German lines preceding the beginning of the Battle of the Somme on July 1st 1916

Lear / Nonsense / Rhodes
There was an Old Person of Rhodes, who strongly objected to toads; He paid several cousins, to catch them by the dozens, that futile Old Person of Rhodes

Lear / Nonsense / Rats Dozed
There was an Old Man who supposed, that the street door was partially closed; But some very large rats, ate his coats and his hats, while that futile old gentleman dozed

Palermo Bombarded
The Neapolitan navy bombards Palermo in a futile attempt to halt the insurrection

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Futile: A Collection of Comical and Thought-Provoking Moments" Armadillo Lizard (Cordylus cataphractus) biting its own tail while trying to: In a comically futile attempt, this armadillo lizard finds itself trapped in an endless loop, chasing its own tail. A reminder that sometimes our efforts can lead us nowhere but in circles. Uncrossing the Crosses on a Hot + Bun: Witness the hilarious struggle as someone tries to untangle crossed hot dog buns, only to find themselves entangled further. It serves as a gentle reminder that some tasks are simply meant to be left alone. Cartoon, Excelsior. (Suffragist as Sisyphus): This clever cartoon depicts suffragists tirelessly pushing their cause uphill like Sisyphus rolling his rock. Despite facing countless obstacles and setbacks, they persist with unwavering determination. The New Mrs Partington - Victorian satire: Step into the world of Victorian satire where Mrs Partington valiantly attempts to sweep back the waves of progress with her broom. This amusing portrayal highlights how futile it is to resist inevitable change. Dog chasing its tail: A classic scene unfolds as a playful pup chases its own tail endlessly, reminding us that sometimes we get caught up in fruitless pursuits without realizing it's all just for fun. Caricature of Norman Angell, writer and politician: Through witty caricature, Norman Angell's endeavors are humorously depicted as he races against time only to find himself running in circles—a lighthearted reflection on life's often futile race against deadlines. Bajan Rinendo (They Go Down Quarreling) (brush & grey wash on paper): In this captivating artwork by Bajan Rinendo, two figures engage in an intense argument that seems destined never to reach resolution. A poignant reminder of the futility in quarreling without seeking understanding.