Le Jeu Ne Vaut Pas La Chandelle (The Game is Not Worth a Candle)

Thomas Nast|Jay Gould

1881–83 · Wood engraving · Drawings and Prints

The American robber baron Jay Gould (1832–1896) shakes hands wih the Russian Tsar Alexander in a secret alley. Text at right on a wall reads: "Wanted, a quiet place to be crowned in, or to rest my head. / Alexander III(?) / The grand question of the day.–The date of the coronation?" Alexander's father was assassinated in March 1881 but he was not crowed until May 1883.

Artist

Thomas Nast|Jay Gould

Date

1881–83

Medium

Wood engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Thomas Nast Jr., Mabel Nast Crawford and Cyril Nast, 1933