Sr. Samuel House
Original title: Sr. Samuel House
kurzbeschreibung
A man with a raised glass and an outstretched hand dominates Thomas Rowlandson's satirical print 'St. Samuel House'. First drawn in 1780 and reissued in a second version between 1786 and 1791, this hand-colored etching with roulette exaggerates a public figure to comic effect.
Description
A stout gentleman in a dark shirt and short breeches stands at the center, a glass in one hand and the other raised as if making a declaration. Behind him, a barrel bears the words 'For for Ever Huzza'; above it, two figures look out from a window—on the left someone in a cap and jacket, on the right a person with spectacles and a shirt. Their gazes and postures respond to the man's performance, enlivening the scene. The colors are applied sparingly, as was typical for hand-coloring. Exaggerated proportions and a humorous, satirical tone govern the layout.
Context
Rowlandson drew the caricature in 1780, a period of political and social tension in Britain shaped by the American Revolution and domestic reform debates. That the second version appeared between 1786 and 1791 suggests the subject remained topical. The artist was known for his sharp social satires, which often targeted well-known figures and public events. The title 'St. Samuel House' may refer to a real person or place, but cannot be securely identified today.
Impact
The exaggerated proportions and expressive gestures immediately provoke laughter and linger in the memory. The interplay between the protagonist and the figures at the window creates a narrative tension that invites a smile. The print radiates a lively, almost theatrical mood characteristic of Rowlandson's satires.
Technique
Hand-colored etching with roulette, a technique that produces fine stippling and soft tonal gradations. The colors were applied by hand, making each impression unique. The sheet measures 23.7 × 18.7 cm and is mounted on cardboard, suggesting it was kept as a collector's item.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)