High Spirits: The Comic Art of Thomas Rowlandson

Description

Portly squires and young dandies. Jane Austenesqueheroines and their gruesome chaperones. Dashing young officers and corrupt politicians. The keenly observant satires by English caricaturistThomas Rowlandso (1757-1827) make clear his sharp eye for current affairs as well as his appreciation of the humour in everyday life. High Spirits brings together nearly one hundred comic works by Rowlandson,with subjects spanning the entire range of English society, including numerous satires of politics, and George III and his troublesome offspring. Full-colour illustrations are accompanied by details drawn from new archival research on both the works and their royal collectors, from George IV to QueenVictoria and Prince Albert.

Kate Heard is curator of prints and drawings in the Royal Collection Trust and deputy editor of the Journal of the History of Collections.

"[A] lavish volume. . . . the quality of its reproductions is super, with huge blown-up details; it appears designed to reflect its royal origin, which is Queen Elizabeth's unmatched collection of prints and drawings in Windsor Castle."-- "Hopkins Review" (2/24/2015 12:00:00 AM) "English caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson, who died in 1827, satirized the royal family, British aristocracy, and legions of politicians and social climbers. His colors are rich, his wit biting. Both are in ample supply in High Spirits: The Comic Art of Thomas Rowlandson."-- "Boston Globe" (1/27/2014 12:00:00 AM)