Thomas Rowlandson (; 13 July 175721 April 1827)
was an English artist and
caricaturist
A caricaturist is an artist who specializes in drawing caricatures.
List of caricaturists
* Abed Abdi (born 1942)
* Al Hirschfeld (1903–2003)
* Alex Gard (1900–1948)
* Alexander Saroukhan (1898–1977)
* Alfred Grévin (1827–1892)
* Alf ...
of the
Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation. A prolific artist and printmaker, Rowlandson produced both individual social and political satires, as well as large number of illustrations for novels, humorous books, and topographical works. Like other caricaturists of his age such as
James Gillray
James Gillray (13 August 1756Gillray, James and Draper Hill (1966). ''Fashionable contrasts''. Phaidon. p. 8.Baptism register for Fetter Lane (Moravian) confirms birth as 13 August 1756, baptism 17 August 1756 1June 1815) was a British caricatur ...
, his caricatures are often robust or bawdy. Rowlandson also produced highly explicit erotica for a private clientele; this was never published publicly at the time and is now only found in a small number of collections. His caricatures included those of people in power such as the
Duchess of Devonshire,
William Pitt the Younger
William Pitt the Younger (28 May 175923 January 1806) was a British statesman, the youngest and last prime minister of Great Britain (before the Acts of Union 1800) and then first prime minister of the United Kingdom (of Great Britain and Ire ...
and
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...
.
Biography
Rowlandson was born in
Old Jewry
Old Jewry is a one-way street in the City of London, the historic and financial centre of London. It is located within Coleman Street ward and links Poultry to Gresham Street.
The street now contains mainly offices for financial companies. The ...
, in the
City of London
The City of London is a city, ceremonial county and local government district that contains the historic centre and constitutes, alongside Canary Wharf, the primary central business district (CBD) of London. It constituted most of London fr ...
. He was baptised on 23 July 1757 at
St Mary Colechurch
St Mary Colechurch was a parish church in the City of London destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and not rebuilt.
History
The church was situated at the junction of Poultry and the south end of Old Jewry. Named after its first benefac ...
, London to William and Mary Rowlandson. The baptismal record for St Mary, now in the London archives, clearly gives his birth-date as 13 July 1757, not 1756 as given in most earlier biographies. His father, William, had been a weaver, but had moved into trading supplies for the textile industry and after overextending himself was declared bankrupt in 1759. Life became difficult for William in London and, in late 1759, he moved his family to
Richmond, North Yorkshire
Richmond is a market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England, and the administrative centre of the district of Richmondshire. Historically in the North Riding of Yorkshire, it is from the county town of Northallerton and situated on ...
. Thomas's uncle James died in 1764, and his widow Jane probably provided both the funds and accommodation which allowed Thomas to attend school in London.
[Payne and Payne. pp.8–14]
Rowlandson was educated at the school of Dr Barvis in
Soho Square
Soho Square is a garden square in Soho, London, hosting since 1954 a ''de facto'' public park let by the Soho Square Garden Committee to Westminster City Council. It was originally called King Square after Charles II, and a much weathered ...
, then "an academy of some celebrity," where one of his classmates was Richard Burke, son of the politician
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke (; 12 January NS.html"_;"title="New_Style.html"_;"title="/nowiki>New_Style">NS">New_Style.html"_;"title="/nowiki>New_Style">NS/nowiki>_1729_–_9_July_1797)_was_an_ NS.html"_;"title="New_Style.html"_;"title="/nowiki>New_Style"> ...
. As a schoolboy, Rowlandson "drew humourous characters of his master and many of his scholars before he was ten years old," covering the margins of his schoolbooks with his artwork.
[Rowlandson obituary in Sylvanus Urban, ''The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle,'' Volume 97, Part 1, Jan–June 1827 (London: J B Nichols, 1827), page 564]
In 1765 or 1766 he started at the Soho Academy.
There is no documentary evidence that Rowlandson took drawing classes at the mainly business-oriented school, but it seems likely, as on leaving school in 1772, he became a student at the
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its pur ...
. According to his obituary of 22 April 1827 in ''The Gentleman's Magazine,'' Rowlandson was sent to Paris at the age of 16 (1772), and spent two years studying in a "drawing academy."
there. In Paris he studied drawing "the human figure" and continued developing his youthful skill in
caricature.
It was on his return to London that he took classes at the
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its pur ...
, then based at
Somerset House.
Rowlandson spent six years studying at the Royal Academy, but about a third of this time was spent in
Paris
Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...
where he may have studied under
Jean-Baptiste Pigalle
Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (26 January 1714 – 20 August 1785) was a French sculptor.
Life
Pigalle was born in Paris, the seventh child of a carpenter. Although he failed to obtain the ''Prix de Rome'', after a severe struggle he entered the ''Ac ...
. He later made frequent tours to the Continent, enriching his
portfolio
Portfolio may refer to:
Objects
* Portfolio (briefcase), a type of briefcase
Collections
* Portfolio (finance), a collection of assets held by an institution or a private individual
* Artist's portfolio, a sample of an artist's work or a c ...
s with numerous sketches of life and character. In 1775 he exhibited a drawing of ''Dalilah Payeth Sampson a Visit while in Prison at Gaza'' at the Royal Academy and two years later received a silver medal for a bas-relief figure. He was spoken of as a promising student. On the death of his aunt, he inherited £7,000 with which he plunged into the dissipations of the town and was known to sit at the gaming-table for 36 hours at a stretch.
In time poverty overtook him; and the friendship and examples of
James Gillray
James Gillray (13 August 1756Gillray, James and Draper Hill (1966). ''Fashionable contrasts''. Phaidon. p. 8.Baptism register for Fetter Lane (Moravian) confirms birth as 13 August 1756, baptism 17 August 1756 1June 1815) was a British caricatur ...
and
Henry William Bunbury
Henry William Bunbury (1 July 1750 – 7 May 1811) was an English caricaturist.
The second son of Sir William Bunbury, 5th Baronet (see Bunbury baronets), of Mildenhall, Suffolk, he came of an old Norman family. He was educated at Westminster ...
seem to have suggested
caricature as a means of earning a living. His drawing of
Vauxhall
Vauxhall ( ) is a district in South West London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. Vauxhall was part of Surrey until 1889 when the County of London was created. Named after a medieval manor, "Fox Hall", it became well known for ...
, shown in the Royal Academy exhibition of 1784, had been engraved by Pollard, and the print was a success. Rowlandson was largely employed by
Rudolph Ackermann, the art publisher, who in 1809—issued in his ''Poetical Magazine'' ''The Schoolmaster's Tour''—a series of plates with illustrative verses by Dr.
William Combe
William Combe (25 March 174219 June 1823) was a British miscellaneous writer. His early life was that of an adventurer, his later was passed chiefly within the "rules" of the King's Bench Prison. He is chiefly remembered as the author of ''Th ...
. They were the most popular of the artist's works. Again engraved by Rowlandson himself in 1812, and issued under the title of the ''Tour of Dr Syntax in Search of the Picturesque,'' they had attained a fifth edition by 1813, and were followed in 1820 by ''Dr Syntax in Search of Consolation,'' and in 1821 by the ''Third Tour of Dr Syntax in Search of a Wife''. He also produced a body of erotic prints and woodcuts.
The same collaboration of designer, author and publisher appeared in the ''English
Dance of Death,'' issued in 1814–16 and in the ''Dance of Life,'' 1817. Rowlandson also illustrated
Smollett Smollett is an English and Scots surname, originally meaning ''small head''.
Notable people with the surname include:
Individuals
* Jake Smollett (born 1989), American actor
* Jurnee Smollett (born 1986), American actress
* Jussie Smollett (b ...
,
Goldsmith
A goldsmith is a Metalworking, metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Nowadays they mainly specialize in jewelry-making but historically, goldsmiths have also made cutlery, silverware, platter (dishware), pl ...
and
Sterne, and his designs will be found in ''The Spirit of the Public Journals'' (1825), ''The English Spy'' (1825), and ''The Humorist'' (1831).
Rowlandson's designs were usually done in outline with the reed-pen, and delicately washed with colour. They were then
etched by the artist on the copper, and afterwards
aquatint
Aquatint is an intaglio printmaking technique, a variant of etching that produces areas of tone rather than lines. For this reason it has mostly been used in conjunction with etching, to give both lines and shaded tone. It has also been used h ...
ed—usually by a professional
engraver, the impressions being finally coloured by hand. As a designer he was characterised by his facility and ease of
draughtsmanship
A drafter (also draughtsman / draughtswoman in British and Commonwealth English, draftsman / draftswoman or drafting technician in American and Canadian English) is an engineering technician who makes detailed technical drawings or plans fo ...
. He dealt less frequently with politics than his fierce contemporary, Gillray, but commonly touching, in a rather gentle spirit, the various aspects and incidents of social life. His most artistic work is to be found among the more careful drawings of his earlier period; but even among the exaggerated caricature of his later time we find hints that this master of the humorous might have attained to the beautiful had he so willed.
His work included a personification of the United Kingdom named
John Bull
John Bull is a national personification of the United Kingdom in general and England in particular, especially in political cartoons and similar graphic works. He is usually depicted as a stout, middle-aged, country-dwelling, jolly and matter- ...
who was developed from about 1790 in conjunction with other British satirical artists such as Gillray and
George Cruikshank
George Cruikshank (27 September 1792 – 1 February 1878) was a British caricaturist and book illustrator, praised as the "modern Hogarth" during his life. His book illustrations for his friend Charles Dickens, and many other authors, reache ...
. He also produced many works depicting the characters involved in election campaigns and race meetings. However, his satirical works of London's street life such as the "pleasure gardens at Vauxhall, jostling with soldiers, students, tarts and society beauties," which exhibit acute social observation and commentary are amongst his finest.
Rowlandson's caricatures include those on the medical profession which developed through his friendship with John Wolcot around 1778. He also earned money illustrating books of physicians and quacks. Later in life, he also produced caricatures on medical themes.
His patron and friend Matthew Michell collected hundreds of his paintings which Michell displayed at his country residence, Grove House in Enfield, Middlesex. After Michell's death his nephew, Sir Henry Onslow, sold the contents of Grove House at an eight-day sale in November 1818. One of the best-known of Rowlandson's paintings is "Hengar House the seat of Matthw Mitchell
icEsqr., Cornwall" (1812) which was sold at the Sir Richard Onslow sale, Sotheby's, 15 July 1959. Another of Rowlandson's paintings is "Glorious Defeat of the Dutch Navy Octr 10 1797, by Admirals Lord Duncan and Sir Richard Onslow, with a View Drawn on the Spot of the Six Dutch Line of Battle Ships Captured and Brought into Yarmouth" (1797). Rowlandson also painted early scenes of
Brighton
Brighton () is a seaside resort and one of the two main areas of the City of Brighton and Hove in the county of East Sussex, England. It is located south of London.
Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze A ...
where Michell's sister, Lady Anne Onslow, lived after the death of her husband
Sir Richard Onslow, 1st Baronet
Sir Richard Onslow, 1st Baronet, GCB (23 June 1741 – 27 December 1817) was an English naval officer who played a distinguished role at the Battle of Camperdown.
Naval career
He was the younger son of Lt-Gen. Richard Onslow and his wife Pool ...
. Rowlandson's painting "Mr Michell's Picture Gallery at Grove House, Enfild" was sold by Sotheby's, London, on 4 July 2002.
Rowlandson died at his lodgings at 1 James Street, Adelphi, London, after a prolonged illness, on 21 April 1827. He was buried at
St Paul's, Covent Garden on 28 April 1827 aged 69 years. Some authors have suggested that his house keeper Betsy Winter who inherited his belongings was his mistress but this has been rejected by others.
Works
* ''Cupids Magick Lantern'' Etchings for a work by
George Moutard Woodward
George Murgatroyd Woodward (1765–1809) was an English caricaturist and humor writer. He was a friend and drinking companion of Thomas Rowlandson.
Biography
Woodward was born in Stanton Hall, in Stanton by Dale in Derbyshire, England the son ...
, 1797–98
* ''Horse accomplishments'' Etchings for a work by George Moutard Woodward, 1797–98
* ''Matrimonial Comforts'' (series of eight sketches) c. 1799
* ''Le Brun Travestied or Caricatures of the Passions'' Etchings for a work by George Moutard Woodward, 1800
* ''The Schoolmaster's Tour,'' accompanied by verses by William Combe (published in the new ''Poetical Magazine'') 1809–11
* ''Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque,'' 1812
* ''The Second Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of Consolation, '' 1820
* ''The Third Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of a Wife, '' 1821
* ''The English Dance of Death,'' 1815–16
* ''The Dance of Life,'' 1816–17
* ''Characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders'' (series of sketches), 1820
* ''An Essay on the Art of Ingeniously Tormenting'' (sc Thomas Rowlandson), 1808
* ''Chesterfield Travestied, or School for Modern Manners'' (sc Thomas Rowlandson), 1808
Gallery
File:Rowlandson - Washing Day.jpg, "Washing Day" from ''Matrimonial Comforts,'' 1811
File:Rowlandson - Portsmouth Poing.jpg, "Portsmouth Point," 1811
File:Rowlandson - The Concert.jpg, "The Concert" c. 1812
File:Thomas Rowlandson - Dr Syntax outside the Halfway House - Google Art Project.jpg, "Dr Syntax outside the Halfway House" from ''Dr Syntax in Search of the Picturesque'', 1812
File:Thomas Rowlandson - Doctor Syntax loses his Money on the Race Ground at York - Google Art Project.jpg, "Doctor Syntax loses his Money on the Race Ground at York" 1812
File:Great news - Rowlandson's characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders (1820) - BL.jpg, "Great News" from ''Characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders,'' 1820
File:Saloop - Rowlandson's characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders (1820) - BL.jpg, "Saloop" from ''Characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders,'' 1820
File:Curds and whey. A mother feeding her child - Rowlandson's characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders (1820) - BL.jpg, "Curds and Whey" from ''Characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders,'' 1820
File:Thomas Rowlandson (3).jpg, "The Dairy Maid's Delight" n.d.
File:Thomas Rowlandson (22).jpg, "Jolly Gypsies" n.d.
File:An obese bald-headed old man seated in an armchair while a s Wellcome V0019909.jpg, "Macassar oil
Macassar oil is a compounded oil that was used primarily by Western European men throughout the 1800s and early 1900s as a hair conditioner to groom and style the hair.
It was popularised by Alexander Rowland (1747–1823), a celebrated London ba ...
" Etching after T. Rowlandson, from ''Iconographic Collections'' c. 1814. An obese bald-headed old man seated in an armchair while a shopman pours oil from a bottle on to his scalp, at his feet is a basin to receive the overflow, on the ground is a fool's cap with ears and behind them stands a woman with a shock of brown hair who looks in horror at her reflection in a wall-mirror. Making fun of the false claim in some advertisements that Macassar oil would stimulate hair growth on balding men.
Notes
References
*
* Payne, Matthew and Payne, James (2010), ''Regarding Thomas Rowlandson 1757–1827, His Life, Art & Acquaintance'', Hogarth Arts.
*
Grego, Joseph (1880) ''Rowlandson the caricaturist'
Volume IVolume II
Sources
*
British Museum, LondonThomas Rowlandson at the Victoria and Albert MuseumLewis Walpole Collection Yale*
Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires Preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum,
Mary Dorothy George. Vol VI 1938, Vol VII, 1942 VOL VIII 1947, VOL IX 1949
* ''Dictionary of British Cartoonists and caricaturists 1730–1980'' Bryant and Heneage, Scolar Press 1994
*
1904 reprintIllustrations
External links
British Museum Bio for Thomas Rowlandson
*
*
Prints & People: A Social History of Printed Pictures an exhibition catalogue from The Metropolitan Museum of Art (fully available online as PDF), which contains material on Thomas Rowlandson (see index)
Thomas Rowlandson exhibition catalogs* https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/rowlandson_thomas.htm
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rowlandson, Thomas
1757 births
1827 deaths
18th-century English male artists
19th-century English male artists
English illustrators
English cartoonists
English caricaturists
English satirists
British erotic artists
People from the City of London
English watercolourists