by Browne, Hablot Knight ("Phiz")
Near Fine. A rich genre scene that rewards closer examination to reveal the hypocrisy or two-facedness of the widower, the chief mourner. He holds a handkerchief to his right eye as his solicitous sister-in-law seeks to comfort him. The hankie, though, is positioned perfectly to conceal the lechery of his left eye gazing at the comely young maid setting the table, his lips betraying an impish desire that is stronger than his sorrow. We see also woman seated straight-backed and exuding stiff propriety and two men by a door on the other side of the room there to pay their respects. In the meantime there are fillips of humor coming from a cat and dog, immersed (truncated)