Antique original etching in a good frame by & after Thomas Rowlandson, 1809-1812

Description: An original hand-coloured etching with aquatint, entitled, "Doctor Syntax robb'd of his property", by & after Thomas Rowlandson, and published 1809 to 1812. The plate was drawn and etched by Rowlandson, and a copy is held in the collection of the Royal Academy. The picture measures about 5 inches by 8 inches and the frame 10 inches by 12 inches, and has a nicely cut mount. A copy is in the collection of the Royal Academy. Thomas Rowlandson was a draughtsman and printmaker whose distinctive social satire has become integral to the popular vision of late Georgian Britain. Rowlandson was born in London in 1757 and educated at Dr Barwis’ school on Soho Square before attending the Royal Academy Schools from the age of fifteen. Rowlandson lived in the centre of London throughout his life, although he made several trips to continental Europe. Unusually for a Royal Academy student, Rowlandson seems never to have worked in oils, gravitating instead towards producing sketches and etchings for the print trade. Rowlandson began by making scabrous satires in the vein of his close friend and contemporary James Gillray, often on subjects such as the politicians William Pitt and Charles James Fox, the misdemeanours of the young prince of Wales (and future George IV), and events in post-revolutionary France. Unlike Gillray, however, he was equally adept making lyrical drawings and watercolours on a range of subjects, from imitations of Old Master paintings to picturesque landscapes. Rowlandson worked for many print publishers but his most important employer was Rudolph Ackermann, who kept Rowlandson in almost continual employment from 1798 onwards, making drawings for a wide range of books that exploited Rowlandson’s range for lyrical topography and gentle caricature. Rowlandson’s drawings and watercolours were also collected by many wealthy patrons. Rowlandson was healthy and industrious up until the last two years of his life. He died in 1827 and was buried in the church of St Paul’s, Covent Garden. Rowlandson’s work was neglected during the conservative Victorian period but since the 20th century he has been reappraised as one of the greatest of British graphic artists. The subject is taken from the Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque which is a story of a fictional, rural schoolmaster and pastor who attempts to make his fortune by going travelling, and then writing and illustrating a book about his experiences of quaint and unusual places. The story is told in the form of verse, written by William Combe, a prolific English writer of miscellaneous prose and satirical verse, and illustrated with colour plates by Thomas Rowlandson. Combe wrote the text to elucidate the illustrations. It was first published in 1809 in serial form in Rudolph Ackermann's The Poetical magazine as The schoolmaster's tour. The work was first collected into book form 'by popular demand' in 1812, and was reprinted a number of times during the following decades. This collaboration of designer, author, and publisher went on to produce a further two 'Tours': The Second Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of Consolation (1820), and The Third Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of a Wife (1821). Visit www.ebay.co.uk/str/southwoldart for more of my stock. I offer old Southwold, wider East Anglian art, quirky antiques, and more general interesting pieces. The artworks are mainly old plus a few newer local pictures, and associated subjects; both celebrated and lesser artists. The antiques lean towards quirky, folk-art, and "below stairs" country house or cottage pieces – and simply unusual pieces that catch my eye. They include furniture, metalwork, treen etc. Many sea-related items will deliver a 10% donation to the RNLI. All dimensions stated are in inches, and the prices include packing and shipping within the UK mainland. I can ship overseas - just let me know where you are and I'll get a quote. N.B. I pack and ship pictures using professional custom-made wooden (not card-board) boxes - these take me a little time to prepare dependent on demand, but I'll do my utmost to meet your delivery requirements.

Price: 49.5 GBP

Location: Ashbourne

End Time: 2025-02-10T12:55:35.000Z

Shipping Cost: 25 GBP