The Blind Piper

Details

Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827)
The Blind Piper
signed and dated 'Rowlandson 1800' (lower right) and inscribed 'THE BLIND PIPER' (lower left)
pen and ink and watercolour
8 x 11 in. (20.3 x 28 cm.)

Provenance

Dr. J. Percy Collection; his executors' sale, Christie's, London, 25 April 1890, lot 1076.
The Fine Arts Society, London.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. This lot will be removed to an off-site warehouse at the close of business on the day of sale - 2 weeks free storage

Lot Essay

The title of this work may refer to Iain Dall Mackay of Gairloch (d.1754), the celebrated bard and piper of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie who lost his sight at an early age and whose songs achieved widespread popularity. It may also refer to the blind piper mentioned in The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith, a version of which was illustrated by Rowlandson in 1817.

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