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Saloon at the Marine Pavilionby ROWLANDSON, Thomas (1756-1827) aquatinted by Samuel ALKEN (1756-1815)
London: Published by C. G. J. and I. Robinson Paternoster Row, June 1, 1790. Sepia aquatint. Printed on watermarked laid paper. In excellent condition with the exception of being trimmed within the platemark. 10 1/8 x 13 1/8 inches. A delicate view by Rowlandson of the Marine Pavilion in Brighthelmstone from his charming book entitled "An Excursion to Brighthelmstone". Thomas Rowlandson was one of the greatest British caricaturists of his day; he excelled as a watercolourist, draughtsman and engraver and brought a new era to English satire. Although he is commonly thought of as a biting social and political satirist, most of his drawings are gentle humorous records of urban and rustic life. His pretty watercolours are often used to illustrate Georgian society; in particular the great public gatherings associated with sport, art and entertainment, and provide an invaluable record of life during that tumultuous era. The eager young Rowlandson learnt to draw before he could write, and quickly enrolled in the Royal Academy Schools. Throughout his career he was an industrious engraver, and it was said that the amount of copper he etched would sheathe the entire British Navy. Rowlandson's powers of composition and humor combined to produce images that are both historically important and artistically impressive, and he remains one of England's best-loved caricaturists. This gentle satire is a lovely example of Rowlandson's penchant for humorous social scenes and his skill as a draftsman. This image comes from a series of eight aquatints penned by Rowlandson for "An excursion to Brighthelmstone, made in the year 1789, by Henry Wigstead and Thomas Rowlandson. Dedicated (by permission) to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Embellished with eight engravings in aquatinta from views taken on the road to and at the place". Both the images and text for this work serve as a kind of picturesque travel guide for London visitors wishing to visit the south coast. The images, which are delicately aquatinted by Alken, all show popular tourist sites, or inns along the road to Brighthelmstone. Grego, Rowlandson i, 276-279
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