Thomas Rowlandson
Thomas Rowlandson
Doctor Syntax Highwaymen Incident
About the Etchings
This pair of original hand-colored aquatint etchings from 1813 depicts dramatic scenes from the celebrated Doctor Syntax series by Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827). Both prints illustrate highwaymen incidents from "The Tour of Doctor Syntax in Search of the Picturesque," showing the hapless clergyman-schoolmaster encountering robbers during his travels. These works exemplify Rowlandson's masterful combination of satirical humor, dynamic composition, and expert aquatint technique that made the Doctor Syntax series one of the most popular illustrated works of the Regency era.
The prints feature Rowlandson's characteristic lively line work and expressive figures, enhanced by period hand-coloring that brings vitality to the comic scenes. Published by Rudolph Ackermann in London, these etchings were part of the illustrated editions that accompanied William Combe's verse narrative, creating a multimedia sensation that captivated British audiences in the early 19th century.
About the Doctor Syntax Series
The Tour of Doctor Syntax in Search of the Picturesque was a hugely successful satirical work that began serialization in Ackermann's Poetical Magazine in 1809. The series followed the misadventures of Doctor Syntax, a naive country clergyman who sets out on a tour to make sketches for a book about the picturesque, encountering various mishaps and comic situations along the way.
The collaboration between artist Thomas Rowlandson and poet William Combe proved enormously popular, spawning two sequels and numerous editions. The series satirized the contemporary vogue for picturesque tourism and the pretensions of amateur artists and writers. Doctor Syntax became a cultural phenomenon, with the character's name entering common usage and inspiring merchandise, plays, and imitations.
About Thomas Rowlandson
Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827) was one of the most celebrated British caricaturists and printmakers of the Georgian era. Born in London, he studied at the Royal Academy and in Paris before establishing himself as a master of satirical art. Rowlandson's work combined acute social observation with technical brilliance, particularly in his use of the aquatint medium.
His prolific output included political satires, social commentary, and illustrated books. The Doctor Syntax series represents some of his finest work, demonstrating his ability to create engaging narrative sequences with humor and artistic skill. Rowlandson's influence on British satirical art was profound, and his works remain highly valued for their wit, craftsmanship, and historical significance.
Technical Details
Artist: Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827)
Author: William Combe (1742-1823)
Publisher: Rudolph Ackermann, London
Date: April 1, 1813
Medium: Hand-colored etching with aquatint on paper
Series: The Tour of Doctor Syntax in Search of the Picturesque
Condition: Very good condition
Quantity: Two original prints (Plates 3 and 4)
Dimensions: 14 × 21 cm (5 ½ × 8 ¼ in.) — Sheet size, each
Frame: 50 × 38 cm (19 ¾ × 15 in.) — Gilt wood, contemporary, brown acid-free matting and glass
Origin: United Kingdom
Sources: The J. Paul Getty Museum; Royal Academy.