Prints: P1245

Title

Paul Pry's Last Acquaintance

Subject

Liston, John

Artist

Ingrey and Madeley

Date

c.1826

Dimensions

height: 18.6cm
width: 21.5cm

Other materials

Lithograph.

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Professor Jim Davis, acquired by the Garrick Club in 2024

Other number

E0162

This print depicts a portrait of the comedian John Liston as Paul Pry. He is depicted seated at a table wearing his trademark yellow top hat, blue coat and striped trousers. He looks to the right, and holds his glasses up to his eyes. Entering from the right facing Paul Pry is a skeleton dressed in a red robe, with a golden crown on his skull. Under one arm he carries a sythe. Here the joke is that Death is the unwelcome visitor whereas usually Paul Pry is the nosy unwelcome intruder. The character of death takes on the pose, normally taken by Paul Pry; bent slightly forward, hands open with a sythe under his arm instead of the umbrella. While the flustered Paul Pry looks at the visitor and denies ever knowing or seeing him before.