1799
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A Militia Meeting is a 1799 ink by Thomas Rowlandson, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a messy room where a group of people sit around a table, eating and talking. One person in a red coat leans back in a chair, while another in pink sits with a book. A half-naked woman stands by the fireplace, holding a fan. On the floor, a dog lies near a broom, and scraps of paper are scattered around. The walls have a framed picture and a window with curtains. The scene looks like a casual gathering, but the people’s expressions and loose poses feel exaggerated. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to make it feel lively and a little chaotic. If you like this style, check out etching to see how artists like Rowlandson made these detailed sketches.
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.
See the richer artist page
