Thomas Rowlandson Dance of Death 1816-1817 hand coloured etchings

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Thomas Rowlandson

Watercolour painter, illustrator and social carcicaturist.

He was born in London in 1756, the son of a bankrupt merchant and was educated at Dr. Barrow's School and at the RA Schools, which he entered in 1772.

He made visits to Paris in 1774 and 1777 to visit relatives and the rococo delicacy of his pen and wash drawings probably owes something to this French connection.

Rowlandson hereafter made extensive journeys on the Continent to France, Italy, Germany and Holland and in Great Britain, filling notebooks with a mixture of grotesque humanity and sylvan ideal landscapes. He often travelled with other caricaturists, notably, J. Wigstead and J. Nixon. His work is always tinted pen drawings rather than full-scale watercolour, but he changed his humorous style to do drawings after the Old Masters and figures reminiscent of Thomas Gainesborough.

He was one of the major caricaturists to become an extensive book illustrator, particularly in his work for Ackermann from 1798, in The Tours of Dr. Syntax, and The Microcosm of London in 1808.

In later life, Rowlandson's quality of work tailed off, a not surprising feature of someone who was a gambler, dissolute and naturally lazy. The later drawings often show a sloppiness and lack of interest in the subject and as countless versions of one subject exist this is not wholly surprising.

He died in London in 1827.

(from The Dictionary of British Book Illustrators and Caricaturists, 1800-1914 by Simon Houfe)

Rowlandson Portrait

Thomas Rowlandson
(1756-1827)
Pencil sketch by George Henry Harlow, 1814

The English Dance of Death,
from the Designs of Thomas Rowlandson
with Metrical Illustrations by the Author of "Doctor Syntax"

Printed by J. Diggens, St. Ann's Lane;
Published at R. Ackermann's Repository of Arts
101 Strand
London, 1815-1816

Original hand-coloured aquatint etchings over 200 years old!

The sheet size is approximately 5.5 x 9 inches
Original verse text to accompany each plate

The Suicide

Death smiles & seems his dart to hide, when He beholds the Suicide

[Ref #1]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

Champagne, Sherry, and Water Gruel

Have patience Death, nor be so cruel To spoil the Sic man's Watergruel

[Ref #2]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Nursery

Death rocks the cradle: Life is o'er: The Infant sleeps, to wake no more

[Ref #3]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

The Astronomer

Why, I was looking at the Bear: But what strange Planet see I there!

[Ref #4]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

The Father of the Family

The Doctors say that you're my booty: Come Sir, for I must do my duty

[Ref #5]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Fall of Four in Hand

Death can contrive to strike his blows By overturns and overthrows

[Ref #6]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

Gaffer Goodman

Another Whiff and all is o'er, And Gaffer Goodman is no more

[Ref #7]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Urchin Robbers

O the unconscionable Brute! To murder for a little Fruit!

[Ref #8]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

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$75

Death turned Pilot

The fatal Pilot grasps the Helm, And steers the Crew to Pluto's Realm

[Ref #9]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Winding Up of the Clock

"No one but me shall set my Clock". He set it & behold the Shock

[Ref #10]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

The Family of Children

'Twere well to spare me two or three Out of your num'rous Family

[Ref #11]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible
Short closed tear top margin

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

Death's Door

In this world all our Comfort's o'er: So let us find it at Death's Door

[Ref #12]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Fire

Let him go on with all his rigs: We're safe, He'll only burn the pigs

[Ref #14]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Miser's End

Old Dead, at length, is grown so kind: He dies, & leaves his wealth behind

[Ref #14]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

Gretna Green

Love, spread your wings, I'll not outstrip 'em: Though Death's behind, He will not clip 'em

[Ref #15]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Waltz

By Gar, that horrid, strange buffoon Cannon keep time to say tune

[Ref #16]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

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$75

Maternal Tenderness

Thus it appears a pond of Water May prove an Instrument of Slaughter

[Ref #17]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

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The Kitchen

Thou Slave to ev'ry gorging Glutton, I'll spit thee like a Leg of Mutton

[Ref #18]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Gig

Away they go in chaise & one, Or to undo or be undone

[Ref #19]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

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$75

The Mausoleum

Your crabbed Dad is just gone home: And now we look for joys to come

[Ref #20]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Courtship

It is in vain that you decide: Death claims you as his destin'd Bride

[Ref #21]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Toastmaster

The End of Life, the Chairman cries: 'Tis drank, & many a Toper dies

[Ref #22]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Careless and the Careful

The Careful and the Careless led To join the living and the dead

[Ref #23]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Law Overthrown

The Serjeant's tongue will cease to brawl In every Court of yonder Hall

[Ref #24]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Fortune Teller

All Fates he vow'd to hime were known, And yet He could not tell his own

[Ref #25]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Lottery Office

To trust to Fortune's smiles alone, Is the High Road to be undone

[Ref #26]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Prisoner Discharged

Death, without either Bribe or Fee, Can set the hopeless Prisn'r free

[Ref #27]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Gallant's Downfall

The Assailant does not feel a wound, But yet he dies, for he is drown'd

[Ref #28]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Church Yard Debate

'Tis strange but true, in this world's Strife, That Death affords the means of Life

[Ref #29]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

The Good and the Great

What heart-felt Tears bedew the Dust Of Hime whose ev'ry though was just

[Ref #30]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

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$75

The next Heir

'Tis not the time to meet one's fate, Just ent'ring on a large Estate

[Ref #31]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible
Very narrow upper left margin (as issued)

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Chamber War

When Doctors three the Labour share, No wonder Death attends them there

[Ref #32]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

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$85

Death and the Antiquaries

Death, jealous of his rights, stands sentry Over this strange, burglarious entry

[Ref #33]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

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$75

The Dainty Dish

This fine, hot, feast's a preparation To some, for Death's last, cold Collation

[Ref #34]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

The Last Stage

From Hour to Hour, from Youth to Age, Life's Trav'ller take th'uncertain Stage

[Ref #35]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$75

Time, Death, and Eternity

The song now bursts beyond the bounds of time, And Immortality concludes the Rhyme

[Ref #36]

Typical light, age-appropriate toning of paper and marginal soiling possible
Narrow bottom margin (as issued)

Please click on above image to see a larger version of the entire plate and to assess condition of the engraving

$95

(volume I Rowlandson English Dance of Death aquatint etchings/engravings)

See Aslo Rowlandson Dance of Life prints here