Wilde on Us. Something To "Live Up" To in America (published in "Harper's Bazar," June 10, 1882)

Thomas Nast|Oscar Wilde

originally published 1882 · Relief print and electrotype · Drawings and Prints

This is a proof of a wood engraving published in Harper's Bazar. Oscar Wilde dressed in a velvet suit with knee breeches, points to work boots and a straw hat lettered "The Picturesque Miners in the Rocky Mountains." His pockets are stuffed with moneybags, and sunflowers grow from a column capital behind. More sunflowers and a lily grows from another pair of boots. A hat resting on a cudgel is labeled "For Sun & Rain." Graffiti on the wall behind depicts men fighting, a bottle of liquor, and roosters, with buildings labeled "Mudville." Nast depicts Wilde is in his familiar lecturing garb surrounded by lilies and sunflowers and with money bulging from his pockets. During a lecture tour of America, Wilde visited Leadville, Colorado on April 13, 1882 and there spoke to silver miners.

Artist

Thomas Nast|Oscar Wilde

Date

originally published 1882

Medium

Relief print and electrotype

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

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