Mr Gibson's Last Moments After the Reception of the Queen's Telegraph Message

In the summer of 1864 John Gibson and Penry Williams set out for Switzerland, but their journey was cut short at Leghorn (now Livorno) because of Gibson’s health. After a few periods of illness in 1865, Gibson had a stroke and was paralysed. Williams attended Gibson’s bedside at via Babuino 144 during his final days. He recorded Gibson’s last moments in this intimate drawing that shows Gibson in bed receiving a telegraph from Queen Victoria.