Dressing for a birthday

Details

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 3⁄4 x 17 in. (29.8 x 43.3 cm.)

Provenance

Baron Alain de Rothschild (†); Christie's, London, 3 July 2018, lot 103, where purchased by the present owner.

Literature

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

Engraved

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

Special notice

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

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Lot Essay

In this satirical scene, two women 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 a wide brimmed hat. Similar etchings derived from the present work are in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the Royal Collection Trust, London.

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