Yale Center for British Art

Creator:
Thomas Rowlandson, 1756–1827, British
Title:
A Woodcutter's Picnic
Date:
undated
Materials & Techniques:
Pen and vermillion ink and watercolor over graphite on medium, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Dimensions:
Mount: 10 13/16 x 15 1/16 inches (27.5 x 38.3 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
watermark: a watermark is partially visible at left behind tree trunk area of drawing.
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1977.14.329
Classification:
Drawings & Watercolors
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
woodcutters (loggers) | men | women | wood | woods | trees | river | food | cups | cask | axe | cascade | picnic area | landscape | drinking | dog (animal) | rocks (landforms)
Currently On View:
Not on view
Exhibition History:
Great British Watercolors from the Paul Mellon Collection at the Yale Center for British Art (Yale Center for British Art, 2008-06-09 - 2008-08-17)

Great British Watercolors from the Paul Mellon Collection at the Yale Center for British Art (The State Hermitage Museum, 2007-10-23 - 2008-01-13)

Great British Watercolors from the Paul Mellon Collection at the Yale Center for British Art (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 2007-07-11 - 2007-09-30)
Publications:
Yale Center for British Art, Great British watercolors : from the Paul Mellon Collection, Yale University Press, New Haven, 2007, pp. 62-64, no. 26, ND1928 .Y35 2007 (LC)+ Oversize (YCBA)
Gallery Label:
From time to time Rowlandson made landscape drawings in a refined picturesque style. In this example he conjures a vision of bucolic country life with a group of woodcutters pausing from their strenuous work to enjoy a picnic. Commoners had the right to gather wood for fuel, but such ancient rights were under threat as the economic interests of local landowners led them to enclose common land and enforce strict laws against trespassing. Rowlandson renders the woodland with an idyllic air distanced from the harsh new realities of actual country life. Gallery label for Great British Watercolors from the Paul Mellon Collection at the Yale Center for British Art (Yale Center for British Art, 2008-06-09 - 2008-08-17)
Link:
https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:6450