[Sterne and Death] [graphic]Patch, Thomas, 1725-1782, artist, printmaker[1768]engLaurence Sterne stands on the left facing Death who has just come in the door (right) carrying an hourglass and carrying a walking stick. On the wall behind him is a map of the fortifications of Namur and on the table by his side, a statue of Diana of the Ephesians under a glass dome (bell glass) as well as a feather pen in an ink stand. Below the table is a jackboot. Between the two columns of verse below the image in a cartouche is a butterfly fluttering over a torch, a reference to the soulTitle from British Museum catalogue.Date from manuscript note in Horace Walpole's hand.Sheet trimmed to plate mark on top and sides.Five lines from Tristam Shandy below image in English and Italian, etched below image: and when Death himself knocked at my door, ye had him come again, and in so gay a tone, of careless indifference, did ye doit, that he, doubted of his commission. There must certainly be some mistake in thy matter, quoth he ...In lower left corner: Price half-crown.Temporary local subject terms: Literature: Aristotle's works -- Ovid -- A sentimental journey by Laurence Sterne -- Emblems: mundane egg -- Reference to plagiary -- Machine for tearing books.