the collector's folio

Thomas Rowlandson Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Thomas Rowlandson · 1757 – 1827

Sculptor Shop

1780 · Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg · original 240 x 345 cm

Experience Thomas Rowlandson's witty Georgian satire in Sculptor Shop, a detailed 1780 drawing capturing the vibrant chaos of an artisan's studio; discover this masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Dinner

1787 · Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg · original 434 x 570 cm

Explore Thomas Rowlandson’s ‘Dinner’ (1787) – a satirical engraving of aristocratic excess! Detailed hand-coloring & dynamic composition reveal 18th-century wit. #Rowlandson #engraving #arthistory

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$57736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Italian Picture Dealers

1812 · Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris · original 300 x 227 cm

Thomas Rowlandson’s "Italian Picture Dealers" (1812) is a biting satirical engraving of aristocratic decadence. Explore this masterful black & white print's dramatic style & social commentary.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Richard Trevithick

1925 · Science Museum, London · original 22 x 26 cm

Thomas Rowlandson’s masterful watercolor captures Georgian England's ambition—a locomotive design symbolizing innovation amidst societal conservatism. Explore this iconic depiction of Richard Trevithick and its central circle, inviting contemplation on art deco style.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

The South Gate, Exeter

1810 · Royal Albert Memorial Museum - Art Gallery, Exeter

Explore 'The South Gate, Exeter' by Thomas Rowlandson (1810). A charming watercolor capturing Georgian England’s bustling street life. Romantic style & social observation.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$35238 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The Fish Dinner

1788 · Tate Gallery, London · original 160 x 213 cm

A satirical black & white illustration by Thomas Rowlandson (1788) depicting a boisterous fish dinner, showcasing exaggerated figures and commentary on Georgian society's excesses.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$35237 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1312213 × 160 cm Commission at original size

The Slaughterhouse

Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 15 x 19 cm

Witness the grim satire of Thomas Rowlandson's "The Slaughterhouse" (1756-1827). This darkly humorous print depicts a brutal scene, showcasing the artist’s biting social commentary and masterful technique.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Embarkation at Southampton, June 20th 1794

1794 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 16 x 35 cm

Experience 'Embarkation at Southampton,' 1794 by Thomas Rowlandson! This captivating watercolor depicts the bustling harbor scene, showcasing wit and social commentary through a masterful illustration.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17751 × 20 cm Commission this artwork

Pigs at a Trough

1790 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 9 x 15 cm

Thomas Rowlandson's 'Pigs at a Trough' (1790) is a witty satirical print depicting a lively scene of pigs in a trough, showcasing the artist’s signature humor and social commentary.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17743 × 23 cm Commission this artwork

Selling a Wife

1812 · Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg · original 122 x 204 cm

Explore the witty world of Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827), a master Georgian caricaturist! Discover his satirical prints, social commentary & iconic illustrations like Dr. Syntax.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17741 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$873204 × 122 cm Commission at original size

A scene from charles dibdin comic opera's 'the quaker'

Explore Thomas Rowlandson’s watercolor depicting a dramatic scene from 'The Quaker.' Romantic style, expressive brushwork & emotional intensity – a captivating glimpse into Georgian England.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Going Out in the Morning

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

An italian family

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17734 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

Soldiers storming a castle

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The ballad singers

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20227 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

The Market Place

1790 · Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$77737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Simple Bodily Pain, from Le Brun Travested

Explore 'Simple Bodily Pain' by Thomas Rowlandson – a biting woodcut satire critiquing medical procedures. Discover Hogarth’s sharp social commentary & Georgian England's wit.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

The fortune teller

Explore 'The Fortune Teller' by Thomas Rowlandson – a witty 18th-century watercolor depicting social satire & theatrical scenes. Discover Georgian England’s caricaturist style!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The Royal Institution

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$60234 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

The Hunt Breakfast

Experience 'The Hunt Breakfast' by Thomas Rowlandson – a witty Georgian satire! Explore this iconic British caricature’s social commentary & masterful style. Hand-painted reproductions available.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$30226 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

The boat people - redundant shipping turned to other uses

Explore Thomas Rowlandson’s ‘The Boat People,’ a haunting watercolor diptych depicting abandoned ships & coastal scenes. Romanticism meets melancholy in this evocative 18th-century artwork.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20228 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Fording The River Camel, Cornwall

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20237 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Market day at Aberistwith

1797 · National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

A bustling 1797 market scene in Aberystwyth comes to life through Thomas Rowlandson's lively black and white drawing capturing the vibrant energy of Georgian Wales, perfect for collectors seeking historical charm.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Two overboard

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17746 × 22 cm Commission this artwork

Horse accomplishments

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 382 artworks by Thomas Rowlandson
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Thomas Rowlandson

1757 – 1827

Quick facts

Lifespan70 years
Art periodEarly Modern
Creative periodsmature period
Museums on APSYale Center for British Art, Brooklyn Museum, Hermitage Museum, Tate Gallery, Bibliothèque nationale de France
Also known asT. Rowlandson, Thomas Rollandson, Rollandson, Th. Rowlandson, Rowlandson T.
Room fitliving room
Died1827
Typical colorsputty, rosy brown

Biography

A Life Etched in Satire: The World of Thomas Rowlandson

Born amidst the bustling streets of Old Jewry, London, on July 13th, 1756 (baptized July 23rd, 1757), Thomas Rowlandson emerged as a defining voice – and pen – of Georgian England. His life, initially shadowed by his father’s financial struggles that necessitated a move to Richmond, North Yorkshire in 1759, would ultimately blossom into an artistic career marked by unparalleled wit and incisive social commentary. Rowlandson wasn't merely documenting his era; he was holding a mirror to its follies, exaggerating its vanities, and immortalizing its characters with a uniquely satirical eye. From humble beginnings, nurtured by an uncle’s support that allowed him access to education at Dr. Barwis’ school in Soho Square, Rowlandson embarked on a path that would see him become one of the most celebrated – and controversial – caricaturists of his time. Even as a schoolboy, his innate talent manifested itself in playful sketches adorning the margins of his books, foreshadowing a career dedicated to visual storytelling with a mischievous edge.

Formative Years and Artistic Development

Rowlandson’s formal artistic training began at the Royal Academy in 1772, where he honed his skills for six years, including a period of study in Paris under Jean-Baptiste Pigalle. This exposure to continental techniques proved invaluable, laying the foundation for his distinctive style – a blend of delicate draughtsmanship and bold exaggeration. However, it was upon returning to England that Rowlandson truly found his voice. Initially attempting portraiture, he soon discovered his true calling lay not in flattering representation but in pointed satire. The financial pressures following his aunt’s death further propelled him towards caricature as a means of livelihood, yet this shift wasn't merely pragmatic; it was an artistic awakening. He began to dissect the social landscape with ruthless accuracy, targeting politicians, aristocrats, and everyday citizens alike. His early works were characterized by a remarkable facility for line and a keen understanding of human expression, qualities that would become hallmarks of his mature style.

Collaboration and The Rise to Prominence

The true flowering of Rowlandson’s career came through his fruitful collaboration with publisher Rudolph Ackermann. This partnership yielded some of his most enduring works, including the immensely popular *The Schoolmaster's Tour* (1809), a series of plates accompanied by verses from Dr. William Combe, and the iconic *Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque* (1812). The *Dr. Syntax* series, with its subsequent installments – *Dr. Syntax in Search of Consolation* (1820) and *The Third Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of a Wife* (1821) – captivated audiences with its whimsical narrative and Rowlandson’s masterful illustrations. These works weren't simply visual accompaniments to text; they were integral to the storytelling, enhancing the humor and social commentary through dynamic compositions and expressive characterizations. The delicate color washes and precise reed-pen outlines became synonymous with Rowlandson’s style, showcasing his technical brilliance and artistic flair. His ability to capture both the grandeur of landscapes and the absurdity of human behavior cemented his reputation as a leading artist of the era.

A Legacy of Satire and Social Observation

Rowlandson's impact extends far beyond the immediate popularity of his works during his lifetime. He left behind an extensive body of art – over 381 artworks are cataloged at WikiOO.org alone – that provides a vivid and often unflattering portrait of Georgian society. His caricatures weren’t merely about ridicule; they were astute observations on the political climate, social customs, and human foibles of his time. He fearlessly lampooned figures like the Duchess of Devonshire, William Pitt the Younger, and Napoleon Bonaparte, exposing their vulnerabilities and challenging established power structures. Beyond the overtly satirical, Rowlandson also produced a wealth of illustrations for novels and topographical works, demonstrating his versatility as an artist. His legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts today, offering a unique window into a bygone era. The enduring appeal of his work lies in its timeless relevance – the human tendencies towards vanity, hypocrisy, and absurdity that he so brilliantly captured remain remarkably consistent across centuries. His influence can be seen in subsequent generations of cartoonists and illustrators who have embraced satire as a means of social commentary.

Preserving Rowlandson’s Vision

Today, Rowlandson's work is preserved in numerous museum collections worldwide, including those accessible through platforms like WikiOO.org, which offers an extensive catalog of his creations alongside works by contemporaries such as Samuel Henry Gordon Alken and William Hogarth. Pieces like *Hengar House the Seat of Matthew Mitchell Esq., Cornwall* (1812) and *Glorious Defeat of the Dutch Navy* (1797) stand as testaments to his artistic skill and historical significance. Exploring these collections allows us to appreciate not only Rowlandson’s technical mastery but also the depth of his social insight. His art serves as a reminder that laughter can be a powerful tool for critique, and that even in the most frivolous of subjects, there is often a profound truth waiting to be revealed. The continued accessibility of his work ensures that Thomas Rowlandson's satirical vision will continue to provoke thought and inspire amusement for generations to come.

Questions & Answers

What other names is Thomas Rowlandson known by?

Thomas Rowlandson appears under the alternate names T. Rowlandson, Thomas Rollandson, Rollandson, Th. Rowlandson, Rowlandson T..

Where can I see the color profile of Thomas Rowlandson's work?

Thomas Rowlandson's use of color across the works listed on this website can be studied on the artist's Palette Genome page.

Where is Thomas Rowlandson from?

Thomas Rowlandson was born in United Kingdom.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Aug. 31, 2026

Collector's quiz

In what city was Thomas Rowlandson born?
Rowlandson is best known for his work as a...
With whom did Rowlandson collaborate on popular works like 'The Schoolmaster's Tour' and 'Dr. Syntax'?
Rowlandson received artistic training at which institution?
What was a common theme in Rowlandson's satirical work?

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Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

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