Location

Country: France
City: Paris
Place: British Embassy

This aquatint by Joseph Constantine Stadler was made after a collaborative watercolour, painted by Auguste Charles Pugin and Thomas Rowlandson. Pugin drew the architectural scenes, while Rowlandson added the characters. It is one of a series of aquatints which illustrated 'The Microcosm of London', a magnificent architectural and topographical book on the city. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, 'Microcosm' was issued in monthly parts from 1808 to 1810, eventually comprising three volumes and over 100 illustrative plates.

Auguste Charles Pugin, artist and architectural draughtsman, was born in Paris but settled in England during the French Revolution. After attending the Royal Academy Schools he worked for architect John Nash in Wales and later in London. Nash’s influence inspired Pugin’s interest in the Gothic style. He illustrated numerous topographical and architectural publications, including Ackermann’s ‘The Microcosm of London’ (1808-10). When, in 1818, he was commissioned to produce plates for ‘Specimens of Gothic Architecture’, he employed a team of architectural students to assist. His architectural designs include the interior of the Diorama in Regent’s Park (1823) in collaboration with James Morgan and the layout of Kensal Green Cemetery (1830).
Joseph Constantine Stadler was a prolific German émigré engraver of images after his contemporaries. His engravings are wide-ranging in subject matter and include landscapes, seascapes and portraits, as well as military, sporting and decorative subjects. Stadler was employed by the leading print publisher of the time, John Boydell (1720-1804). On 23 March 1799 Stadler married Ann Elizabeth Sandman at St Anne’s Church, Soho, in London. He was living in Knightsbridge when he died at the age of 73.
Thomas Rowlandson, caricaturist and draughtsman, attended the Royal Academy Schools. After his studies he worked in watercolours and developed a style influenced by Gainsborough and French Rococo art. From 1784 he received commissions for publications and later gained the patronage of the Prince of Wales. He also produced satirical images, illustrating well-known scandals and characters. Despite gaining a substantial inheritance in 1789, by 1793 he was in poverty. However, his financial worries eased when he received commissions from Ackermann, which led to his involvement with A. C. Pugin in ‘The Microcosm of London’. Rowlandson later produced sketches for the adventures of ‘Dr Syntax’ (1812-21), also published by Ackermann.

Places

England, London, Old Bond Street, Mayfair

Subjects

painting (as Subject), quill, book, reading (as Subject), topography, Victorian Genre, boy, man, woman, 19th century costume, dress, military uniform, coat, stockings, waistcoat, boots, breeches, top hat, walking stick, wig, bonnet, tricorn hat, sword, soldier, gallery, shop, bench, chair, table (as Subject), commercial interior

Materials & Techniques

aquatint, coloured aquatint

Artist

Auguste Charles Pugin (1762 - 1832)
Joseph Constantine Stadler (1755 - 1828)
Thomas Rowlandson (1756 - 1827)

Title

Exhibition of Water Coloured Drawings, Old Bond Street

Date

published 1 September 1808

Medium

Coloured aquatint

Acquisition

Purchased from Agnew's, July 1952

GAC number

1730