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The Tour of Dr Syntax in Search of the Picturesque

Watercolour
ca. 1812 (painted)
Artist/Maker
Rowlandson, Thomas (artist)
Place of origin
England (painted)

The aesthetic concept of the ‘picturesque’ evolved in late 18th century Britain. It favoured rough, varied and irregular forms. This watercolour is set in the Lake District of north-west England. Visits to the region increased greatly after the artist William Gilpin (1724-1804) published a book describing the picturesque landscape.

Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) made several watercolour drawings to illustrate a verse by William Combe (1741-1823). The verse was intended as a satire on Gilpin and his readers.


Object details

Categories
Drawings
Paintings
SCRAN
Object type
Watercolour
TitleThe Tour of Dr Syntax in Search of the Picturesque (series title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour, pen and ink, on paper
Water-Colour
Paper
Pen and Ink
Painting (Image-Making)
Watercolour Drawing
Brief description
Rowlandson, Thomas; Dr. Syntax drawing the waterfall at Ambleside, while his man Patrick is eating voraciously; Illustration apparently designed for 'The Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque' but not used; Watercolour on paper; English School; ca. 1812.
Physical description
Dr. Syntax drawing the waterfall at Ambleside, while his man Patrick is eating voraciously; Watercolour, pen and ink, on paper.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21cm
  • Width: 13.5cm
Style
British School
Credit line
Bequeathed by Rev. Alexander Dyce
Object history
This illustration appears to have been designed for the work The Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque but not etched and published as part of it.
Subjects depicted
Picturesque, The
Satire
Landscape
People
Trees
Waterfall
Syntax (Dr)
Places depicted
Lake District
Ambleside
Literary referenceCombe, William. <u>The Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque</u>. England.first published in book-form in 1812.
Summary
The aesthetic concept of the ‘picturesque’ evolved in late 18th century Britain. It favoured rough, varied and irregular forms. This watercolour is set in the Lake District of north-west England. Visits to the region increased greatly after the artist William Gilpin (1724-1804) published a book describing the picturesque landscape.

Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) made several watercolour drawings to illustrate a verse by William Combe (1741-1823). The verse was intended as a satire on Gilpin and his readers.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • DYCE COLLECTION. A Catalogue of the Paintings, Miniatures, Drawings, Engravings, Rings and Miscellaneous Objects Bequeathed by The Reverend Alexander Dyce. London : South Kensington Museum, 1874.
  • Lambert, Susan. Drawing: Technique & Purpose. London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1981. p.25.
  • Coombs, Katherine British watercolours : 1750-1950 . London: V&A Publications, 2012 p.31, pl.21
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
DYCE.813

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O74260/the-tour-of-dr-syntax-watercolour-rowlandson-thomas/
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