Rowlandson the Caricaturist; a Selection from His Works. Vol. 2

by Joseph Grego

This gentleman, amongst a rich gathering of drawings, caricatures, and social satires, has secured numerous good examples of prints executed by Rowlandson, including the rare series of the 'Stages of Man's Schooling' (1802). We have to instance a spirited drawing by the caricaturist, which is in the possession of Mr. Stogdon: 'Forbidden Fruit.'

FIGURE DRAWINGS AFTER THE OLD MASTERS BY THOMAS ROWLANDSON, IN THE COLLECTION OF COLONEL GOULD WESTON, THURLOE SQUARE.

• Venus: Carlo Marratti.
• Venus: Bouchér.
• Nymph Surprised by Satyr: Gerard Lairesse.
• Diana and Hunter: Gerard Lairesse.
• Diana and Nymphs: Giulio Romano.
• Leda and Swan: Giulio Romano.
• Venus Arranging her Hair: Andrea del Sarto.
• Venus and Cupid: Andrea del Sarto.
• Venus and Cupid: Palma Vecchio.
• Lucretia: Andrea del Sarto.
• Venus and Mars: Pietro de Cortona.
• Rape of the Sabines: Polidore.
• Leda and Swan: Canache.
• Venus and Man Playing Guitar: Titian.
• Susanna and Elders: Guercino.
• Venus Sleeping—back exposed: Guercino.
• Zulieka and Joseph: Domenichino.
• Venus and Loves: Domenichino.

The drawings mentioned above, like most of the caricaturist's fluent renderings of subjects after the Old Masters, are far removed from mere copies or servile imitations, being, in actual fact, free adaptations of the works in question, strongly characterised with the individualities of Rowlandson's style.

Colonel Weston, in addition to this unique series, possesses a collection of original drawings by the artist, which includes, among numerous interesting examples of varying importance, one of Rowlandson's most graceful and finished drawings, worked out with a taste and delicacy altogether remarkable. The subject is a domestic scene, introducing two charming figures (likenesses in all probability) executed after the style of the portrait of Morland (mentioned in the first part of this work, now in the Print Room, British Museum, see [p. 412]), and evidently executed at the same period.

ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY THOMAS ROWLANDSON. (COLLECTION IN THE POSSESSION OF JOHN WEST, ESQ., BAYSWATER.)

• R. Moser, R.A., Keeper of the Royal Academy. A serious portrait, boldly executed, both outline and shadows put in with a reed pen, in the manner of Mortimer. Evidently a sketch made from life when Rowlandson was an Academy student.
• Colonel O'Kelly taking a Private Trial previous to his Making a Match. (See Racing Series, 1789: The Betting Post, The Mount, &c.)
• Race-horses arriving for a Spring Meeting.
• The Gambler Going to Bed. (See pp. 208–210).
• Congregation Leaving a Chapel. 1820. A large drawing, crowded with figures. (See collection belonging to William Bates, Esq.)
• 'As You Like It,' act ii. scene 7: Fifth Age. (Engraved.) The collection of Shakspearean subjects drawn by Rowlandson to illustrate the 'Seven Ages of Man' is in the possession of General Sir Henry de Bathe, Wood End, near Chichester.
• An Anatomical Lecture.
• The Morning Toilette. A fashionable beauty holding a levée under the hands of her perruquier.
• The Morning Meal.—
  
• The cup that cheers but not inebriates.
• The Tuileries Gardens, Paris. A small sketch for the larger drawing. (See collection in the Editor's possession.)
• An Out-of-door Scene in Paris. (Companion.)
• A Squabble in St. Giles's.
• The Awkward Servant. (See collection in possession of the Editor.)
• Horse-Racing: Introducing a Novice to a spirited Mount.
• Mrs. Clarke and the York Shop. Mrs. C. receiving bribes as a commission agent.
  
• 'Tis woman that seduces all mankind.
• Also in the collection of Thomas Capron, Esq.—
• Portrait of a Foreigner.
• Portrait of an Old Gentleman. The face of this figure may be a caricatured representation of the artist's appearance late in life.
• Portrait of an Old Lady.
• An Equestrian Military Portrait. (German officer.)
• Portrait of a Quaker.
• Looking at a Procession in the Park.
• An Allegorical Design.
• Carisbrooke Castle.
• Hunting Scene.
• The Thames at Twickenham.
• [The Social Day.]
• Interior of Exeter Cathedral (during sermon time).
• View in the Environs of London.
• Continental View, in Rowlandson's early manner (a cloister).
• Yeomanry Cavalry Refreshing at an Inn.
• Cattle Watering.
• Scene at a Seaport.
• Chatham: View of the Medway and Men-of-war; Troops and Military Train riding along the shore.
• Waterside Scene, near a port on the South coast; Passengers landing, &c.
• Views of Cornwall, Devonshire, Somerset, &c.

ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY THOS. ROWLANDSON IN THE POSSESSION OF JOHN CHESTER, ESQ., OF OLD SQUARE, LINCOLN'S INN.

• Toilette of an Antiquated Belle. A large and fine drawing, after the school of the old masters.
• The Village Festival. Figures dancing in a ring on the green, skittle-players, &c. Important subject, somewhat in the manner of Teniers the Younger.
• Interior of a Pawnbroker's Shop. 'The Last Shift' (engraved and published November 1, 1808).
• Taste, or Milord Anglais and Italian Picture-Dealers. (Engraved 1812. See p. 234.)
• A Scold.—
• A smoking chimney, and a scolding wife.
• A Breezy Day.
• Death at the Door. An upright subject, earlier than the series entitled the 'Dance of Death.'
• An Old Miser and a Young Wife.
• An Old Woman and her Cat at a Window.
• Original frontispiece to the collected series of 'Miseries of Human Life.'
  • The Squire.
  • The Shipwreck.—
    
  • The dangers of the ocean o'er, Death wrecks the sailors on the shore.
• Designs for illustrations to the 'Dance of Death.'
  

ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY THOS. ROWLANDSON IN THE POSSESSION OF A. H. BATES, ESQ., EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM.