A Funeral Bearer

Funeral bearers, or 'mutes' as they were also known, customarily preceded a funeral procession and were a common sight in 19th century London. One of a pair, this painting depicts a funeral bearer at full-length within a feigned oval, standing next to a column.

Dressed in a grey suit, a top hat covered in white and a white sash, he is holding a staff, also draped in white, in his left hand. The use of white indicates that the funeral is that of a child. Facing half-left and looking downwards, his expression is appropriately sombre. The other painting in the Museum's collection shows a 'mute' wearing a black sash and holding a staff covered in black.