Rowlandson, Thomas "Humours of Houndsditch, or, Mrs. Shevi in a Longing Condition."

Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827).  "Humours of Houndsditch, or, Mrs. Shevi in a Longing Condition."

London: Thomas Tegg, 1813. Etching. Original hand color. 13 5/8 x 9 3/4. Very good condition. George: 12146. 

Trained at the Royal Academy Schools and in Paris, Thomas Rowlandson quickly earned a reputation as a caricature expert. His sharp eye, comic renderings, and delicate use of color soon established him as one of the important English artists of his period. In order to fund his expensive, convivial lifestyle, he produced numerous prints and series of prints, poking cleverly at British society and popular culture.

In this satire Rowlandson uses the heavily Jewish district of Houndsditch to set his scene, in which an old clothes peddler (with bag) entices two Jewish women with a piglet. An elderly Jewish neighbor's expression depicts horror at this violation of Jewish law, while the sow looks on. On the wall is a handbill advertising a reward for a sow and seven pigs "lost supposed to have been stolen."

Other caricatures by Thomas Rowlandson:

"Dr. Syntax Made Free of the Cellar"

"Jews at a Luncheon. Or, a peep into Duke's Place."

"A maiden aunt smelling fire."

"Mrs. Smouch Longing for Piggy."

"A Rough Sketch of the Times, as Deleniated by Sir Francis Burdett."

"Symptoms of Sanctity."