A Smart
Original title: A Smart
kurzbeschreibung
A man in historical dress holds a pistol and poses with an expansive gesture: this is Thomas Rowlandson's caricature 'A Smart' from 1 December 1790. Executed as an etching with aquatint, the sheet measures 33.7 x 21.8 cm. The satirical figure, with an ironic expression, stands at the heart of the image.
Description
A gentleman appears in dark, formal clothing, his coat adorned at the shoulder with a feather or plume. Short, curly hair frames a face that looks out with a hint of irony or superiority from beneath a wig. His right hand grips a pistol; his left is extended as if to demonstrate something. A shadow falls on the ground, suggesting light from the front or upper left. The background remains plain and white, so the figure commands all attention; at the top, the title 'A Smart' is set in elegant lettering, with lines of text below.
Context
Thomas Rowlandson, an English artist and caricaturist of the late eighteenth century, was known for his satirical pictures of society. This print dates from 1790, a period of political and social upheaval in Britain. It belongs to a series of prints that mocked contemporary types and fashions. Nothing is recorded about its exact genesis, but the work is characteristic of Rowlandson's output.
Impact
The exaggerated pose and ironic expression immediately provoke amusement, yet the caricature also feels critical. The elegant attire and the unusual gesture with the pistol create a tension that invites a smile. The plain layout of the sheet thrusts the man and his message fully into the foreground.
Technique
Etching and aquatint combine here: etching provides precise, incised lines, while aquatint allows soft tonal gradations, as seen in the shadowed areas. From this combination the sheet gains its particular depth and fineness of detail.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)