Thomas Rowlandson (London 1756-1827)

The character of Dr Syntax, 'a skin-and-bone hero, a pedantic old prig, in a shovel hat', was invented by the comic actor John Bannister, who described him in these terms. Rowlandson drew three sets of 'Tours' of Dr Syntax, the first appearing as prints in the Poetical Magazine between 1809 and 1811, with accompanying verses by William Combe. The series mocks the many travellers who toured England, braving bad weather, inadequate accommodation and unfamiliar food in order to find scenery to inspire their paintings or their poetry.

The present watercolour clearly represents the character used by Rowlandson to represent Syntax but it appears to be an earlier work. It is possible that this is an independent drawing to which Rowlandson returned when he was searching for a 'face' for the Syntax who appears in the later drawings and published prints. This would make the present drawing the source for one of Rowlandson's best-known creations.