Little is known of the early life of Edward Rooker. He was a pupil of engraver Henry Roberts, in High Holborn, while simultaneously pursuing a career in acting. Between 1748 and 1749, he engraved drawings after designs by Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren. He appeared on stage at the New Wells Theatre in 1749 and, by 1752, had joined the company at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His career as an engraver continued with plates for William Chambers’ ‘Designs of Chinese Buildings’ (1757) and James Stuart’s ‘Antiquities of Athens’ (1762). He collaborated with Paul and Thomas Sandby on ‘Six London Views’, and again with Thomas for illustrations to Tasso’s ‘Jerusalem Delivered’. He died unexpectedly, at around the time of 50th birthday.

Places

England, London, Whitehall

Subjects

topography, genre, townscape/cityscape, weathervane, dog, horse, man, woman, girl, 18th century costume, dress, coat, hat, broom, clock (as Subject), basket, begging, soldier, gate, street

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

Michael Angelo Rooker (1746 - 1801)
Edward Rooker (1712 - 1774)

Title

The Horse-Guards

Date

1 January 1777

Medium

Coloured engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Parker Gallery, December 1963

GAC number

6358