1801
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Odd-Characters is a 1801 ink by Thomas Rowlandson, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image is packed with tiny, exaggerated faces all stuck on a web of lines. The characters wear wild hats—some fancy, some silly—with big wigs and bright colors. A few hold flags or props, and their expressions range from goofy grins to shocked looks. The whole scene feels chaotic but organized, like a busy marketplace of oddballs. Look closer: the artist used a sharp, scratchy style to make each face stand out. The colors pop against the pale background, making the faces feel almost alive. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Rowlandson made these crisp lines.
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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