Artwork
A Squall in Hyde Park
A Squall in Hyde Park is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Thomas Rowlandson. It dates from 1791 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
A Squall in Hyde Park is a hand-colored etching and aquatint print created by Thomas Rowlandson in 1791. This work exemplifies the artist's penchant for social commentary and satire, characteristic of his output during the Georgian Era.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic scene in Hyde Park, where a diverse group of people, dressed in 18th-century attire, react to a squall with varied and humorous behaviors. The image may satirically comment on the lack of control and individualistic actions within a crowd, poking fun at societal manners.
Technique & Style
Rowlandson employed light colors and loose lines to convey the swift, disorderly nature of the scene. The hand-colored etching and aquatint techniques allowed for detailed, expressive visuals, blending visual wit with social commentary, consistent with the period's graphic satire tradition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1791, this print is part of Rowlandson's prolific body of work as a caricaturist, known for targeting figures of power and public life with humorous critique. Specific provenance details are not provided.
Context
A Squall in Hyde Park aligns with the Georgian Era's tradition of graphic satire, a popular form of social commentary through art. It reflects Rowlandson's role in this movement, using satire to observe and critique contemporary life.
Legacy
As a representative of Rowlandson's satirical style and the Georgian graphic satire tradition, A Squall in Hyde Park contributes to the historical record of social commentary in 18th-century British art, though its specific impact or influence is not detailed here.
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.
