Drawings by Thomas Rowlandson from the Collection of the late Baron Alain de Rothschild (1910-1982) (lots 103-116)Sir Osbert Sitwell described Rowlandson as ‘the greatest master of pure line that England has had the good fortune to produce’ (O. Sitwell, Famous Watercolour Painters, VI - Thomas Rowlandson, London, 1929, p. 7). The son of a wool and silk merchant, he was a student at the Royal Academy Schools from 1772 to 1778. Unusually for an Academy student at that time, he never worked in oil, but developed purely as a draughtsman. As he concentrated on the more popular forms of art, it is not surprising that so many of his drawings, including several of the present group, would be engraved and printed. He was well travelled, and certainly visited France in 1785, 1786 and 1787, from which country several of this group take their subject matter. He was influenced by French artistic practice to begin using watercolour from 1783, and he in turn came to influence French narrative artists. Thus it seems appropriate that this impressive group, covering a wide range of Rowlandson's best known subjects and styles, should come from an eminent French collection. This is arguably the finest collection of drawings by Thomas Rowlandson to appear at auction since the collection of Major Leonard Dent was sold in these Rooms, 10 July 1984.

Thomas Rowlandson (London 1756-1827)

Dressing for a birthday

细节

Thomas Rowlandson (London 1756-1827)
Dressing for a birthday
signed and dated 'T. Rowlandson 1788.'(lower right)
pencil, pen and grey ink and watercolour
11 ¾ x 17 in. (29.8 x 43.3 cm.)

出版

J. Hayes, Rowlandson Watercolours and Drawings, London, 1972, pls. 61 and 62.

刻印

Etched by the artist and published by S.W. Fores, 3 March 1789.

荣誉呈献

Lottie Gammie

lgammie@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 5151

拍品专文

In this satirical scene, two woman are dressing for a royal birthday party. On the left, a bald headed lady admires her reflection in a mirror supported by a boy who plays with a dog. A vast wig with a feather plume is being placed upon her head. On the right, the other lady is having her hair dressed whilst being shown a new dress by an older woman wearing wide brimmed hat. Similar etchings derived from the present work are in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the Royal Collection Trust, London.

Dressing for a birthday

荣誉呈献

拍品专文

更多来自 古典大师及英国绘画与水彩

更多来自古典大师及英国绘画与水彩