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Looking at the Comet till you get a Criek in the Neck

Satirical Etching
1811 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

An older man is too intent on observing a comet to notice that the young man is holding the hand of, and seems to have his arm around the young woman, at whom he is gazing ardently. It is unclear if the older man is the woman's father or her much older husband. In any case he has keys dangling from the belt of his dressing gown, suggesting that he usually has her under lock and key.

A comet was visible in England in August 1811, the month before this print was published. This is an example of how caricatures could be produced quickly in response to topical events.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleLooking at the Comet till you get a Criek in the Neck (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Etching coloured by hand
Brief description
'Looking at the Comet till you get a Criek in the Neck', hand-coloured etching, Thomas Rowlandson, London, 1811
Physical description
Satirical etching
Dimensions
  • Height: 33.6cm
  • Width: 23.2cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by Frank A. Gibson
Subjects depicted
Summary
An older man is too intent on observing a comet to notice that the young man is holding the hand of, and seems to have his arm around the young woman, at whom he is gazing ardently. It is unclear if the older man is the woman's father or her much older husband. In any case he has keys dangling from the belt of his dressing gown, suggesting that he usually has her under lock and key.

A comet was visible in England in August 1811, the month before this print was published. This is an example of how caricatures could be produced quickly in response to topical events.
Collection
Accession number
E.1243-1990

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Record createdJune 11, 2007
Record URL
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