"Two designs on one plate. Above, a group of spectators seated in a gallery and watching a comedy, all intent and either amused or surprised. Below, a similar group, all of whom weep or look distressed. A man holds a smelling-bottle to a lady's nose (right). A play-bill is inscribed 'Romeo and Juliet' (reversed)."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Tragedy spectators.
Description:
Each title etched below corresponding image., Printmaker signature etched within top image in bottom right; imprint statement etched within lower image in bottom right., and Reissue of a plate originally published by T. Rowlandson in 1787; publisher name changed in imprint statement and the year in printmaker signature and imprint changed from "1787" to "1789". Cf. Grego, J. Rowlandson the caricaturist v. 1, pages 217-19.
Publisher:
S. W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Fores, S. W., publisher.
Subject (Topic):
Children., Fans (Accessories), Loss of consciousness., Monocles. , Staffs (Sticks), and Theater audiences.
A view of the interior of a busy English barracks shows a more domestic than military atmosphere although weapons and other gear adorn the walls and lay scattered on the floor. The scene includes a woman nursing a baby (left); beside her, one soldier brushes his britches while another adjusts his helmet. A second woman (center) carries a child on her back as she hands a drink to a soldier who sits on a bunk; a basket of rolls (?) hangs from her arm. A third woman (left) stands at a washing tub wringing out clothes as she looks up approvingly at a young boy dressed as a soldier; beside her a handsome, well-dressed solder holds a baby who smiles at the scene.
Description:
Companion print to: French barracks., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires., and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
S. W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Fores, S. W., publisher., Great Britain.--Army--Barracks and quarters--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Malton, Thomas, 1748-1804, printmaker., and Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, artist.
Subject (Topic):
Arms & armament., Barracks--British., Breast feeding., Children., Dogs., Grooming., Laundry., Soldiers--English., and Women.