The Connoisseur

Thomas Rowlandson

1780–1800 · Watercolor, pen and ink, brush and wash · Drawings and Prints

The leading late-eighteenth century satirist Rowlandson here uses delicate shades of gray, touched with pale pink and blue, to mock the contrasting desires of youth and age. Seated before a steaming urn, symbolizing passion, an elderly art enthusiast eagerly examines a group of miniatures. At the same time, a comely young woman and her maid take advantage of his diverted attention. The gentleman's literal shortsightedness acts as a visual pun, pointing to his inability to judge character and suggesting that he also possesses little knowledge of art.

Artist

Thomas Rowlandson

Date

1780–1800

Medium

Watercolor, pen and ink, brush and wash

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1908