← Thomas Rowlandson

Le Brun Travested, or Caricatures of the Passions

Original title: Le Brun Travested, or Caricatures of the Passions

Artist

Thomas Rowlandson

Date

January–February 1800

Medium

Etching, printed in brown ink, some hand-colored

Dimensions

10 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (26 x 21.6 cm)

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959

kurzbeschreibung

Thomas Rowlandson contributed this etching in 1800 as the title page to a series of caricatures known as 'Six Caricatures of the Passions'. It shows an oval label naming the title and contributors; a mask and crossed arrows frame it as decorative accessories.

Description

The layout is symmetrical and centered: an oval label, reminiscent of an antique medallion, dominates the sheet. Perched on its upper edge is a stylized mask with a broad grin and curly hair. Below, in flowing script, come the title and the credits 'Designed by C.M. Woodward' and 'Etched by T. Rowlandson'. Under the label, two arrows cross on a pedestal—possibly a symbol of the emotions depicted. Brown tones dominate the coloring, matching the brown ink of the print.

Context

This etching by Thomas Rowlandson served as the title page for a series of caricatures on human passions. The series parodies the famous 'passion heads' by the French painter Charles Le Brun, which were widely circulated in the eighteenth century. Rowlandson collaborated with the designer C.M. Woodward, known for his humorous designs. The work appeared at a time when caricatures were hugely popular in England as social critique and entertainment.

Impact

With its symmetrical arrangement and decorative elements, the sheet resembles a cross between an official coat of arms and a playful announcement. The stylized mask and arrows give it a whimsical touch that whets the appetite for the caricatures that follow. Overall, the etching exudes an orderly yet ironic elegance typical of caricature art around 1800.

Technique

The print is an etching, printed in brown ink and partly hand-colored. The etching process allowed for fine lines and precise details, visible in the label and ornaments. The brown ink gives the print a warm, old-masterly feel, enlivened further by the subtle hand-coloring.

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)