The Famous Battle Between Thomas Johnson and Michael Ryan, February 11, 1789

Richard Humphreys|John Jackson|Thomas Rowlandson|S. W. Fores|Tom Johnson|Michael Ryan

February 12, 1789 · Hand-colored etching · Drawings and Prints

In this boxing match the renowned English fighter Tom Johnson opposes the Irishman Michael Ryan. They had met previously in December 1787 at Wraysbury, Buckinghamshire with a disputed outcome. This much anticipated rematch was held at Rabbit Dell in Cassiobury Park, Hertfordshire, on February 11, 1789, for prize money of six hundred guineas. Johnson's second was Richard Humphreys and John Jackson acted as his bottle holder (both well-known boxers). Ryan's second was Mr. Rolfe, a baker, and Nowlan was his bottle-holder. After 33 minutes, Ryan was defeated. Contemporary journalist Pierce Egan wrote, "the set-to was one of the finest ever witnessed and much science was displayed; the parries and feints eliciting general admiration ... [The second round] was terrible beyond description – science seemed forgotten – and they appeared like two blacksmiths at an anvil, when Ryan received a knock-down blow. The battle was well sustained on both sides for some time; but Ryan's passion getting the better of him, he began to lose ground. Ryan's head and eyes made a dreadful appearance and Johnson was severely punished."

Artist

Richard Humphreys|John Jackson|Thomas Rowlandson|S. W. Fores|Tom Johnson|Michael Ryan

Date

February 12, 1789

Medium

Hand-colored etching

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959