Tavern entrertainment, or early music hall
Watercolour Drawing
ca. 1845 (painted)
ca. 1845 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This original pencil and watercolour sketch is by the graphic artist George Cruikshank (1792-1878), the London-born son of the Scottish painter Isaac Cruikshank (1764-1811). Cruikshank worked in his father's studio and was a talented artist from an early age. He became a prolific artist of political cartoons after 1808 but despite his success in this field, from the 1820s onwards he became more involved in book illustration. His best-known illustration was probably that for Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, first published in journal form in 1837.
George Cruikshank loved the theatre. In the 1840s he was a member of Charles Dickens' amateur theatre company, and this delicately coloured pencil and wash drawing is a view of vocal entertainment in a tavern, probably in about 1845. From performances such as these in taverns, the idea of dedicated 'song and supper rooms' in taverns grew, and eventually the hugely successful 19th century music halls.
George Cruikshank loved the theatre. In the 1840s he was a member of Charles Dickens' amateur theatre company, and this delicately coloured pencil and wash drawing is a view of vocal entertainment in a tavern, probably in about 1845. From performances such as these in taverns, the idea of dedicated 'song and supper rooms' in taverns grew, and eventually the hugely successful 19th century music halls.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Tavern entrertainment, or early music hall (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Pencil and watercolour on paper |
| Brief description | Pencil and watercolour drawing by George Cruikshank (1792-1878) of a scene within a tavern with vocal and piano entertainment taking place, ca.1845. |
| Physical description | Pencil and watercolour drawing by George Cruikshank of a scene within a tavern whilst entertainment is taking place on a small stage at the back of the room. A dark-haired female singer is standing and singing in front of a piano played by another woman, while the announcer or another male performer sits on a chair to the left of the piano, apparently studying a script.. The mostly male audience sits on benches at two long wooden tables to the left and right of the stage. In the foreground, right, there is the edge of an empty table. The gas mantles are seen hanging down from the ceiling, top centre, above the scene. The washes of colour are very pale and the area to the right of the small podium, at the back, appears unfinished. The outline head of an audience member is not complete. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This original pencil and watercolour sketch is by the graphic artist George Cruikshank (1792-1878), the London-born son of the Scottish painter Isaac Cruikshank (1764-1811). Cruikshank worked in his father's studio and was a talented artist from an early age. He became a prolific artist of political cartoons after 1808 but despite his success in this field, from the 1820s onwards he became more involved in book illustration. His best-known illustration was probably that for Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, first published in journal form in 1837. George Cruikshank loved the theatre. In the 1840s he was a member of Charles Dickens' amateur theatre company, and this delicately coloured pencil and wash drawing is a view of vocal entertainment in a tavern, probably in about 1845. From performances such as these in taverns, the idea of dedicated 'song and supper rooms' in taverns grew, and eventually the hugely successful 19th century music halls. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.43-2005 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | April 5, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
