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Vauxhall Gardens
Here, the wealthy are at play in Vauxhall Gardens, a sort of amusement park on the south bank of the River Thames. There’s music coming from the balcony, but the crowd pays little attention. The print is a sort of celebrity Where’s Waldo, as nearly every figure was famous at the time. Only a few are still well known today, most notably the group having dinner at lower left. They include (from left to right), the writers James Boswell, Hester Piozzi (twice!), Samuel Johnson (eating the chicken), and Oliver Goldsmith.
Vaux-Hall
Vauxhall Gardens
After: Thomas Rowlandson (English, 1756–1827)
Robert Pollard (English, 1755–1838)
Francis Jukes (English, 1747–1812)
Robert Pollard (English, 1755–1838)
Francis Jukes (English, 1747–1812)
1785
Medium/Technique
Etching, engraving, and aquatint printed in warm brown ink
Dimensions
Sheet: 54.2 × 78 cm (21 5/16 × 30 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
Katherine E. Bullard Fund in memory of Francis Bullard
Accession Number2019.769
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsPrints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Here, the wealthy are at play in Vauxhall Gardens, a sort of amusement park on the south bank of the River Thames. There’s music coming from the balcony, but the crowd pays little attention. The print is a sort of celebrity Where’s Waldo, as nearly every figure was famous at the time. Only a few are still well known today, most notably the group having dinner at lower left. They include (from left to right), the writers James Boswell, Hester Piozzi (twice!), Samuel Johnson (eating the chicken), and Oliver Goldsmith.
Marks
Watermark: J Whatman
Provenance2019, sold by Andrew Edmunds Prints and Drawings, London, to Susan Schulman Fine Art, New York and Carolyn Bullard Fine Prints and Drawings, Dallas; 2019, sold by Carolyn Bullard Fine Prints and Drawings to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 19, 2019)