Who painted Print Collection?

Print Collection was painted by N. Jones in 1830.

Where can I see Print Collection?

Print Collection is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Print Collection?

Print Collection is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Print Collection

N. Jones , 1830

Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist N. Jones. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This 19th-century print depicts a mandrill, an exotic animal at the time, engaging in human-like activities, reflecting the fascination with unusual creatures in pre-zoo Britain.

Subject & Meaning

The mandrill, shown drinking grog and smoking a pipe with 'great dexterity', is anthropomorphized to make the species more relatable to the British public, who rarely saw such animals firsthand.

Technique & Style

The print's style, while not detailed here, likely employs techniques common to the era, such as engraving or lithography, to convey the mandrill's humanized pose and attire.

History & Provenance

Published in London by H. Gibbs, the print is linked to the Royal Menagerie in King's Mews, a precursor to modern zoos, which later relocated its animals to Regent's Park Zoo by 1828.

Context

Created during the waning era of menageries (late 18th to early 19th century), the print captures a transitional moment before the establishment of formal zoos, like the one in Regent's Park, which became the new attractions for exotic animal viewing.

Legacy

The image represents a historical intersection of art, popular entertainment, and the evolving public interest in wildlife, predating the more structured and ethical approaches of modern zoological institutions.

Artist & collection

Artist

N. Jones

This artist made finely detailed prints in the 1830s, working in a straightforward style that feels closer to early photography than to fancy painting.