John Howard visiting a lazaretto (recto) and (verso)

In the 1770s John Howard visited gaols throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland to publish a report on prison conditions. The report inspired the poet William Hayley's Ode to Howard. Romney, a friend of Hayley, was greatly moved by the poem and planned to paint two or three paintings of prison scenes. The paintings never materialised but he worked on a remarkable series of drawings of men and women suffering in captivity.

For other drawings of this subject by Romney see Andrew Wyld: Connoisseur Dealer, Part I, Christie's, King Street, 10 July 2012, lots 33-35.