Artwork
A Funeral Procession
A Funeral Procession is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Thomas Rowlandson. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
A Funeral Procession is a drawing by Thomas Rowlandson, created in 1808 using a combination of pen and ink, watercolor, and graphite on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a funeral procession with mourners on foot and horseback following two carriages, set against a backdrop of buildings and trees. Rowlandson's satirical style is evident in the work, which comments on the social norms of the Georgian era.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a loose, sketchy style using soft brown and gray ink and light watercolor washes, giving the impression of a spontaneous and lively scene. The use of graphite underdrawing and watercolor suggests a layered approach to building up the composition.
Context
The drawing is characteristic of Rowlandson's broader practice of producing satirical illustrations and caricatures that targeted societal norms and figures in power.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Rowlandson (; 13 July 1757 – 21 April 1827) was an English artist and caricaturist of the Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation.
