Thomas Rowlandson

About the Etching

This magnificent hand-colored aquatint from 1808 depicts the grand entrance hall of Carlton House, the London residence of George, Prince of Wales (later King George IV). The print showcases the neoclassical splendor of one of the most celebrated interiors of Regency England, with elegant figures populating the architectural space. This plate is number 15 from "The Microcosm of London," a landmark publication that documented the institutions, scenery, and social life of cosmopolitan London at the turn of the 19th century.

The work represents a unique collaboration between Thomas Rowlandson, who provided the lively figures, and Augustus Charles Pugin, who rendered the architectural details with precision. The aquatint was executed by John Bluck, one of the talented engravers employed by publisher Rudolph Ackermann. Together, these artists created a vivid record of Regency London's most important public and private spaces.

About Carlton House

Carlton House was the London residence of the Prince of Wales from 1783 until he became King George IV in 1820. The Prince commissioned extensive renovations and decorations that transformed Carlton House into one of the most magnificent palaces in Europe, showcasing the finest examples of Regency taste and craftsmanship. The interiors featured neoclassical architecture, sumptuous furnishings, and an important art collection.

The palace became the center of fashionable society and political life during the Regency period. After George IV's accession to the throne, Carlton House was demolished in 1826-27, making contemporary prints like this one invaluable records of its lost grandeur. The site was redeveloped, and Carlton House Terrace now stands in its place.

About The Microcosm of London

"The Microcosm of London" (1808-1810) was a three-volume publication written by William Henry Pyne and published by Rudolph Ackermann. The work contained 104 hand-colored aquatint plates depicting London's most important buildings, institutions, and social scenes, from Westminster Abbey and the Royal Academy to coffee houses and theaters. The publication became one of the most important visual records of early 19th-century London.

The collaboration between Rowlandson and Pugin was particularly effective: Pugin's architectural precision combined with Rowlandson's gift for capturing human activity created images that were both documentary and artistically compelling. The work remains an essential source for understanding Regency London's architecture, society, and daily life.

About the Artists

Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827) was one of Britain's most celebrated caricaturists and printmakers, known for his satirical works and keen observation of Georgian society. Augustus Charles Pugin (1769-1832) was a French-born architectural draughtsman whose precise renderings of buildings made him invaluable for architectural publications. John Bluck (1791-1832) was a skilled aquatint engraver who worked extensively for Ackermann's publishing house, executing 54 of the 104 plates in "The Microcosm of London."

Technical Details

Artists: Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827) and Augustus Charles Pugin (1769-1832)
Aquatint: John Bluck (1791-1832)
Author: William Henry Pyne
Publisher: Rudolph Ackermann, London
Date: April 1, 1808
Medium: Hand-colored etching and aquatint on paper
Series: The Microcosm of London, Volume 1, Plate 15
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 23.5 × 26.7 cm (9 ¼ × 10 ½ in.) — View size
Frame: 37.5 × 39.5 cm (14 ¾ × 15 ½ in.) — Wood, contemporary, acid-free matting and glass
Origin: United Kingdom

Sources: The Royal Collection Trust; National Portrait Gallery; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Sir Stephen Leslie, Dictionary of National Biography (Volume 47, 1885); Romantic London.