Commanders engaged at sea

Commanders engaged at sea

Item Information

Title:
Commanders engaged at sea
Title (alt.):
Sea amusement, or commanders-in-chief of cup and ball on a cruise
Description:
It appears from this print, which in the coloured editions is judiciously tinted to make it resemble a drawing, that the inactivity of our commanders at sea was attracting popular censure. In the plate we find the admiral and his commodore, instead of sweeping the foes of Britain from the ocean, as was the desire of the entire nation, seated in the state-cabin, with a pile of gold-pieces on the ground, devoting their energies to gambling with a child's toy. Scattered around and trodden upon unheeded are plans of fortifications to be bombarded, the charts of oceans to be navigated, and rough draughts for the arrangement of the ships at the beginning of a sea-fight, such as we find Nelson drew up for the guidance of his captains before going into action on the eve of his glorious victories. An old salt, who is pouring out tea for these degenerate warriors, is regarding their puerile dispositions with an air of disgust and distress.
Artist:
Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827
Name on Item:
T. Rowlandson 1785
Date:
1785
Format:
Prints
Genre:
Etchings
Caricatures
Location:
Boston Public Library
Arts Department
Collection (local):
Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827). Prints and Drawings
Subjects:
Military officers
Play (Recreation)
Sailors
Extent:
1 print : hand-colored etching ; sheet 25 x 36 cm
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/tq57p9800
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Language:
English
Notes:
Title from item.
Alternative title from catalogue raisonné.
Grego, I, p. 177
Notes (date):
Date from item.
Notes (citation):
Grego, Joseph. "Rowlandson the caricaturist; a selection from his works with anecdotal descriptions of his famous caricatures, in two volumes." London: Chatto and Windus, 1880
Identifier:
18_03_000146
Barcode:
36666003331945