Artwork
A Soldier's Widow
A Soldier's Widow is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Thomas Rowlandson. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:by unknown hand, along bottom in graphite: A Soldier's Widow (erased); by unknown hand, lower right in graphite: [Not deciphered]; by unknown hand, lower right verso in graphite: 31
About this work
Overview
A Soldier's Widow is a drawing by Thomas Rowlandson, created in 1818 using watercolor, pen, and ink on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman, likely a widow, with a worn expression and old-fashioned attire, including a wide-brimmed hat with a feather. Her serious demeanor and tired appearance suggest a somber mood.
Technique & Style
Rowlandson employed a range of techniques, including sanguine wash, graphite, and layered watercolor, to achieve a sketchy, observational style. The use of quick lines and soft colors captures the subject's worn appearance.
Context
The work reflects Rowlandson's experience as a caricaturist and illustrator, producing satirical scenes of contemporary life. Created during a period of prolific output, A Soldier's Widow is characteristic of his later work, which often featured illustrations for books and prints.
Own this work as a print
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.
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