Doctor Syntax loses his money at the race-ground. c1817

by Rowlandson, Thomas

Dr Syntax loses at the Races. Rowlandson c1817.

Aquatint, drawn and etched by Thomas Rowlandson, and published c1817 by R. Ackermann for Doctor Syntax, in Search of the Picturesque. This early edition has finer detail and the pleasant aged colour tones. Rowlandson was one of the earliest and most popular British etchers of satirical subjects. The Tours of Doctor Syntax were published a number of times over a period of 80 years.

The black figure of the lean curate and school-master in his bad wig and old black suit, with his long nose and chin, caught the public fancy. The fact that he was a man of learning with dignity, added to the ridiculousnous of his mishaps. The satirical very graphic illustrations were widely popular and have remained so ever since.

Doctor Syntax drawings were taken to Ackermann who included them in his Poetical magazine, first published from 1809 to 1811. Ackermann approached William Combe to produce verse to accompany them - once a month a mew drawing was given to Combe, who wrote up an account to match the image. Combe wrote that “the artist and the writer (had) no personal communication with, or knowledge of each other".

Given the popularity of these etchings over the years it is not surprising that the early edition prints have age-related toning and soiling through being exposed to the atmosphere and handling. The page size varied slightly between the editions over the years. This page measures 12.8 x 19.5cm (5 x 8 1/2 inches).