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.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:center left very faint in graphite: [B.ns]; center very faint in graphite: [Co.re]
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.
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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.
