1811
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Rural Sports. Smock Racing is a 1811 ink by Thomas Rowlandson, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This crowded scene shows a wild, grassy field packed with people watching a strange race. Two teams pull giant sacks—one shaped like a sausage—across the ground, while others cheer, trip, or lie sprawled in the dirt. Dogs run loose, and a few people hold flags or wave sticks. In the background, horses and carriages sit near a small village, with a big tree and fluffy clouds above. The title at the bottom calls it "Smock Racing," which likely refers to the sack-like costumes the racers wear. The artist used a mix of bold colors and quick, sketchy lines to pack in every chaotic detail. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Rowlandson made prints like this.
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
