Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Thomas Rowlandson. It dates from 12 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The painting shows a crowd at the New Covent Garden Theatre.
It's an audience scene during the Old Price Riots of 1809.
The riot was a big deal - it happened when the theatre raised ticket prices and people got upset.
The artist included many details, like people shouting and throwing things.
To learn more about the artist who created this scene, look up artist: Rowlandson, Thomas.
Overview
The Boxes is a print depicting a chaotic scene at the New Covent Garden Theatre during the Old Price Riots of 1809, published in London by T. Rowlandson.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a moment of public unrest, specifically the audience's violent protest against a ticket price increase at the theatre, conveying the intensity of the riot through images of shouting and throwing.
Technique & Style
While specific artistic techniques used in 'The Boxes' are not detailed here, Rowlandson's work often featured detailed, satirical illustrations of London life, suggesting a similarly meticulous approach in this piece.
History & Provenance
Published in London by T. Rowlandson, the exact date of publication aligns with the event's year, 1809, though the printer's role versus the artist's is not clarified in the provided context.
Context
The Old Price Riots were a significant event in London's theatrical history, sparked by the New Covent Garden Theatre's price increase, reflecting broader social tensions between the theatre management and its working-class patrons.
Legacy
As a historical document, 'The Boxes' provides a visual record of the Old Price Riots, offering insight into 19th-century London's social dynamics and theatrical culture; its impact on Rowlandson's body of work or broader artistic trends is not specified.
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.
