[Quae Genus, in search of Service].

£4,000 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

A watercolour sketch by Rowlandson of an aquatint illustration for 'The History of Johnny Quae Genus, the Little Foundling of the Late Doctor Syntax' by William Combe. The poem was first published in 1821 and illustrated by 24 coloured aquatints by Rowlandson, and describes in humorous tone the adventures of Doctor Syntax and his little foundling Johnny Quae Genus. Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) was an English artist, caricaturist and engraver, considered one of the most influential graphic artists of his time. A prolific artist, he left at least sixty graphic works depicting Jews, many of which are anti-semitic in nature and look overtly-racist even by the standards of his time. Rowlandson used to visit the Rag Fair market in Houndsditch, where he would often make sketches of London's Jewish poor. Images of Jews in Rowlandson's caricatures tend to be derogatory, the subjects portrayed as moneylenders, stockjobbers, sexual predators and pedlars. Rowlandson was a contemporary of such artists as James Gillray, the Cruikshanks, Matthew Darly and Robert Dighton, all active in the period that is considered 'the Golden Age of British Caricature' (lasting from 1770 to the time of George IV's death in 1830). Original watercolour, signed on the bottom left corner; mounted, framed and glazed, frame gilt and rubbed; image size: 11.5 x 18.7 cm, framed size: 30.2 x 36.4 cm.

• Binding: Hardcover

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