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Snapdragon - drawn by C. Keene, 1858. Creator: Unknown
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Snapdragon - drawn by C. Keene, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Snapdragon - drawn by C. Keene, 1858. Scene from a short story. Jacob Sharp rang the bell mechanically, and submitted himself without a word to the attentions of the doctor's boy, who relieved him of his coat and hat, and announced his arrival. The latter part of his duty the boy might have omitted, for the roars of laughter which proceeded from a group engaged at Snapdragon completely drowned his treble. The room was darkened, and around the flaming dish stood a merry group snatching forth the blazing raisins with shouts of boisterous merriment. Jacob heard them not, saw nothing but one face, which, lighted up by the flames of the ignited spirit, appeared to have the hue of death, rendering the faint smile it wore more ghastly and terrible to him than the strongest look of anguish would have been. It was Ellen Rattery that stood among the merry group of children. Ellen! the child whom he had destroyed, come there to reproach him for his cruel desertion of her when his care was most needed...he pointed to the room whence shouts of laughter still came, looking wild, and wondering as he said almost in a whisper, " She is there! she is there!". From the Christmas supplement to the "Illustrated London News", 1858
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Media ID 36353947
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Snapdragon
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating and chilling illustration by the renowned artist C. Keene, originally published in the Christmas supplement to the "Illustrated London News" in 1858. The scene depicted in this enchanting print is taken from a short story that unfolds a tale of guilt, regret, and the supernatural. Jacob Sharp, the protagonist, stands at the doorstep of a dimly lit room, his face etched with horror and disbelief. He has rung the bell and submitted himself to the doctor's boy, but his attention is entirely consumed by the sounds of laughter and merriment that emanate from within. The room is darkened, and around the flaming dish of Snapdragon, a popular Victorian party game, a group of children laugh boisterously as they reach in to snatch the blazing raisins. Amidst the joyous scene, Jacob's eyes are drawn to one face, illuminated by the flames of the ignited spirit. The face belongs to Ellen Rattery, the child whom he had inadvertently harmed and abandoned during a moment of need. The faint smile on her ghostly visage only adds to the ghastly and terrible sight for Jacob, who points to the room, his voice barely a whisper, exclaiming, "She is there! She is there!" This haunting image by C. Keene encapsulates the essence of the short story, leaving the viewer with a sense of unease and intrigue. The blend of merriment and the supernatural creates a captivating contrast, leaving us to ponder the depths of human emotion and the consequences of our actions.
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