Here is a glimpse into the fascinating, creative process whereby Sue paints a picture which shows P.T. Barnum “reuniting” Alice with Jumbo. In our depiction of Topsy, we also relate the tragedy of Jumbo and Alice. As Sue’s text for the finished painting says
Dress Rehearsal: In 1886 the dead Jumbo was stuffed, 78,280 nails were used. P.T. Barnum purchased Jumbo’s ‘wife’ Alice from London and dressed her in widow’s weeds. At Madison Square Garden Alice was walked toward the stuffed Jumbo. She had not seen him in 4 years, but touched his mouth and trunk, then turned her back on him and groaned. Dead Jumbo and his wife were a greater attraction than the living Jumbo.
We are amazed by how the true story of Topsy touches upon so many issues, including imperialism, racism, speciesism, capitalism, slavery and, of course, the trade in wild-caught animals and their exploitation by the entertainment industry.
