1785
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Group sketched on board 'The Europa' is a 1785 watercolor by Thomas Rowlandson, a Rococo painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This sketch shows a rowdy group of people in a dimly lit room. Some are sitting on a bench, others are slumped or leaning against furniture. One man stands dramatically, arms raised, while a woman next to him yawns or covers her mouth. The scene looks messy, with loose hats, a barrel, and a dog in the corner. The quick, sketchy lines and loose shading give it a lively, unfinished feel—like someone jotted down a scene fast. This style was common for capturing everyday moments, not polished portraits. Look up Rowlandson, Thomas to see more of his fast, funny sketches.
A watercolour sketch by Thomas Rowlandson from 1785 depicts a small group of men seated on trunks and boxes aboard *The Europa*, smoking long pipes, while a mother feeds her baby nearby. The scene is signed and dated by the artist.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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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