Doctor Syntax Pursued by a Bull. Up a tree. c1817

by Rowlandson, Thomas

Up tree with dog defending and horse surprised. Antique print.

Drawn and etched between 1809 and 1811 by Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827) for The Tour of Dr Syntax in Search of the Picturesque, a comical illustrated-story entailing a country cleric who sketches landscapes and incidents during a tour of the Lake District. Rowlandson caricatures illustrate the possible mishaps of a pleasurable leisure activity.

First issued in Rudolph Ackermann's Poetical Magazine between 1809 and 1811, accompanied by poems by William Combe (1794-1823, who was in a debtors' prison), Dr Syntax's Tour was published as a separate little book in 1812, and was so popular that it was reissued a number of times until 1821. This aquatint etching was printed circa 1817. Rowlandson was a talented and popular draughtsman, etcher and engraver, who parodied political, professional and personal pursuits.

The small format of the illustrated book enabled its larger circulation, but carried in pockets for ready entertainment damaged the contents. Page size is 215 x 130mm (8.5 x 5.25 inches). Image size is 175 x 110mm  (6 7/8 x 4 3/8 inches).