Illustration to William Cowper's Poem "The Diverting History of John Gilpin": John Gilpin Is Delayed Going to Church by Three Customers Entering His Linendraper's Shop

Art Historical Context

Step into the whimsical world of 19th-century American illustration John Whetten Ehninger's *Illustration to William Cowper's Poem "The Diverting History of Johnpin": John Gilpin Delayed Going to Church by Customers Entering His Linender's Shop* (1857). This graphite and gray ink drawing on Bristol board captures a moment from Cowper's beloved 178 comic ballad, a satirical tale of everyman John Gilpin's horseback ride to celebrate his wedding anniversary—meant for church, but derailed by misadventure. Here, Ehninger freezes Gilpin at his linendraper's shop, humorously thwarted by three insiste...