Macabre Sketch by Alfred Waud: "Here's a health to the next one that dies"

lelliott19

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"Heres a health to the next one that dies" by Alfred Rudolph Waud (ca. 1861-'65)

Soldiers toast each other around a table, as death, in the form of a skeleton leaning upon a scythe, waits outside the tent. You've probably seen some of Waud's battlefield sketches - usually of soldier life, action on the battlefield, and even a few of soldiers killed in battle. Although in the same style as other Waud sketches, this one is quite different in content. Perfect for today. Happy Halloween.

From the Library of Congress. Waud, Alfred R., Artist. Heres a Health to the Next One That Dies. https://www.loc.gov/item/2004660327/
 
That is an interesting sketch. It is not hard to understand it, just surprised that Waud actually drew it.


He'd probably seen way too much by the time this jolly tableau occurred to him. There's that photo of Waud sitting on a rock at Gettysburg? Poor guy buried a buddy en route there, then ' photographed ' the battle- always wondered what he was looking at that day. Has to have gotten to him.

Wonderful find lelliot, thank you!
 
That is an interesting sketch. It is not hard to understand it, just surprised that Waud actually drew it.
He'd probably seen way too much by the time this jolly tableau occurred to him. Has to have gotten to him.
Is that a large hourglass next to the skeleton? I just saw it. Wonder if I have missed other symbolic/metaphorical symbols in the sketch? Do you see any others?
 
View attachment 208973
"Heres a health to the next one that dies" by Alfred Rudolph Waud (ca. 1861-'65)

Soldiers toast each other around a table, as death, in the form of a skeleton leaning upon a scythe, waits outside the tent. You've probably seen some of Waud's battlefield sketches - usually of soldier life, action on the battlefield, and even a few of soldiers killed in battle. Although in the same style as other Waud sketches, this one is quite different in content. Perfect for today. Happy Halloween.

From the Library of Congress. Waud, Alfred R., Artist. Heres a Health to the Next One That Dies. https://www.loc.gov/item/2004660327/
This is a good find. Thanks for posting it.
 
The dress, shoulder straps and overall scene suggest the soldiers are all officers.
Yes! And I didn't catch it at first, but it looks like the skeleton has his hand up against his ear? -- like he's listening to whats going on inside the tent?
 
Perhaps it is my (mis) perception, but the only Soldier standing, drinking directly from the jug, appears to have a "skeletal" visage. Hinting that he is "marked for Death"?
Oh wow! I didnt notice that, but I think his face does indeed look rather skeletal! Thanks for pointing that out. What is he doing with his glass?
macabre waud snip.JPG
 
Oh wow! I didnt notice that, but I think his face does indeed look rather skeletal! Thanks for pointing that out. What is he doing with his glass?
View attachment 209124

He is steadying a whiskey jug on his shoulder to more easily pour his libation, or perhaps liquid courage. :unsure:

antique-whiskey-jug-old-distillery-whiskey-jug-stoneware-antique-whiskey-jugs-value.jpg
 

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