THOMAS ROWLANDSON (LONDON 1756-1827)

The present drawing is related to the right-hand portion of a painting by Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg, R.A., entitled A Winter Morning, with a party sketching, exhibited in 1776 and engraved in 1784. Julius Caesar Ibbetson also executed a drawing entitled Skating on the Serpentine in 1796 (Eton College). However the theme derives ultimately from Hendrik Avercamp.

The subject of a skating party provided Rowlandson with a perfect opportunity to depict the comic moments he revelled in. Rowlandson executed a large drawing of Skaters on the Serpentine (National Museum of Wales, Cardiff), which he exhibited along with Vauxhall Gardens (Victoria and Albert Museum) at the Royal Academy in 1784 and drew a number of other versions.