The Tempter

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, where Sir John Tenniel's *The Tempter* (1886) captivates with its intricate graphite mastery. Tenniel, the celebrated Victorian illustrator knighted for his iconic wood engravings in Lewis Carroll's *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* and his sharp political cartoons for *Punch* magazine, created this 11¼ × 7⅝-inch drawing late in his career. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1966, it exemplifies his transition from satirical prints to more intimate, detailed sketches. The title and tags—evoking men and the Devil—suggest a dramatic moral tableau of temptation, a recurring Victorian theme amid anxieties over faith, empire, and personal vice. Tenniel's precise graphite lines and subtle shading build tension, rendering ethereal forms with caricature-like exaggeration that defined his style. This rare surviving drawing highlights his technical prowess in black-and-white media, bridging illustration and fine art. As a window into 19th-century British culture, *The Tempter* invites reflection on temptation's timeless pull, blending Tenniel's whimsical precision with profound ethical undertones. A gem for admirers of Victorian draftsmanship!