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An Abyssinian Breakfast, 3 March 1791

 Item — Box: LF104/1 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/1/21

Scope and Contents

Created by Isaac Cruikshank. Published by W. Holland. A scene depicts a campsite based in Abyssinia (pre-Ethiopia). There are monkeys around the frame of the etching, climbing trees and hanging off leaves adding to the ‘exotic’ depiction of Africa for a British, domestic audience. On the right there is a lady looking down at a man who carves open a dead lion, who’s back leg is tied to a tree. To the extreme right, a figure with an Egyptian headdress sits butchered with one hand decapitated from its arm, as well as their right foot. They lean against a hieroglyphic plate. In the centre, the Scottish traveler James Bruce, known for spending a dozen years in Ethopia, wears a kilt and carves into the hind leg of a cow with a sharp knife. He says, “Hoot’ Damn yeer saul what de ye hoke for" as the cow struggles and kicks him.

Dates

  • Creation: 3 March 1791

Conditions Governing Access

Available by appointment in our Reading Room

Extent

1 Item(s)

Language of Materials

English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
+44 (0) 114 222 7299