Thomas Rowlandson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Rowlandson
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Thomas Rowlandson, pencil sketch by George Henry Harlow, 1814
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| Born | 13 July 1757 |
| Died | 21 April 1827 (aged 69) |
| Occupation | Artist |
Thomas Rowlandson (born July 13, 1757 – died April 21, 1827) was a famous English artist. He was known for drawing funny pictures called caricatures. These drawings often made fun of politicians and showed what life was like during the Georgian Era in England.
Rowlandson was a very busy artist. He made many prints and illustrations for books. His caricatures sometimes showed important people like the Duchess of Devonshire, William Pitt the Younger, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
Contents
Who Was Thomas Rowlandson?
Early Life and Education
Thomas Rowlandson was born in Old Jewry, a part of London. He was baptized on July 23, 1757. Records show his birthday was July 13, 1757. His father, William, was a weaver who later traded supplies for textiles.
In 1759, his father faced money problems and moved the family to Richmond, North Yorkshire. When Thomas's uncle died in 1764, his aunt helped him go to school in London.
Thomas went to Dr. Cuthbert Barwis's school in Soho Square. One of his classmates was Richard Burke, whose father was a famous politician. Even as a young boy, Thomas loved to draw. He would fill the edges of his schoolbooks with funny drawings of his teachers and friends.
Becoming an Artist
Around 1765 or 1766, Thomas started at the Soho Academy. After leaving school in 1772, he became a student at the Royal Academy. This was a very important art school.
When he was 16, in 1772, Rowlandson went to Paris, France. He spent two years there studying drawing. He learned how to draw the human body and continued to improve his skills in making caricatures. After returning to London, he took classes at the Royal Academy, which was then at Somerset House.
Rowlandson studied at the Royal Academy for six years. During this time, he also spent about a third of his time in Paris. He often traveled around Europe, filling his sketchbooks with drawings of people and daily life.
In 1775, he showed a drawing at the Royal Academy. Two years later, he won a silver medal for a sculpture. People thought he was a very promising student. When his aunt passed away, he inherited a lot of money, which he spent quickly.
His Famous Works
Eventually, Rowlandson needed to earn money. He was inspired by other artists like James Gillray and Henry William Bunbury to focus on caricatures. His drawing of Vauxhall, shown in 1784, became a popular print.
Rowlandson worked a lot with Rudolph Ackermann, a publisher. In 1809, Ackermann published The Schoolmaster's Tour. This was a series of drawings by Rowlandson with poems by Dr. William Combe. These became very popular.
The series was later called Tour of Dr Syntax in Search of the Picturesque. It was so successful that Rowlandson and Combe made two more books: Dr Syntax in Search of Consolation (1820) and Third Tour of Dr Syntax in Search of a Wife (1821).
Rowlandson also illustrated other famous books. These included works by Tobias Smollett, Oliver Goldsmith, and Laurence Sterne.
His Unique Art Style
Rowlandson usually drew outlines with a special pen. Then, he added light washes of color. He would then create the image on a copper plate using a technique called etching. After that, another technique called aquatint was often used. Finally, the prints were colored by hand.
He was known for how easily and skillfully he could draw. Unlike his friend Gillray, Rowlandson didn't focus as much on politics. Instead, he often drew about everyday social life in a gentle, humorous way. His earlier drawings are considered his most artistic. Even in his later, more exaggerated caricatures, you can see his amazing talent.
What He Drew About
Rowlandson helped create the character of John Bull. John Bull is a personification of the United Kingdom, like a cartoon symbol for the country. Other British artists like Gillray and George Cruikshank also helped develop this character around 1790.
He also drew many scenes from election campaigns and horse races. Later in his life, he created funny drawings about doctors and medical topics.
A friend and supporter named Matthew Michell collected hundreds of Rowlandson's paintings. These were displayed at Michell's home.
Thomas Rowlandson died in London on April 21, 1827, after being sick for a while. He was buried on April 28, 1827, at St Paul's, Covent Garden.
Gallery
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"Doctor Syntax loses his Money on the Race Ground at York" 1812
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"Great News" from Characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders, 1820
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"Saloop" from Characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders, 1820
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"Curds and Whey" from Characteristic Sketches of the Lower Orders, 1820
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"Macassar oil" Etching after T. Rowlandson, from Iconographic Collections c. 1814. This drawing makes fun of false claims that Macassar oil could make hair grow on bald men.
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See also
In Spanish: Thomas Rowlandson para niños
