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1 of 253523 objects
Paul Sandby (1731-1809)
Mountebanks at night 1758
Pen and ink and watercolour | 29.9 x 48.1 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 917600
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A pen and ink and wash drawing of figures in a street scene at night. A man standing on a barrel, with others playing instruments and a crowd behind. Signed: 'P. Sandby Inv. 1758' on the barrel. An inscription over the inn door reads 'Good Eating every day'. In a wash-line bordered mount.
The subject of this drawing is unclear, but the location is possibly Bloomsbury Market with the portico of the church of St George's in the background. In 1760 Sandby published a series of prints of the Twelve Cries of London, featuring an array of street hawkers and traders. The rough, exaggerated faces of the characters in the present drawing can be compared to those prints, as well as to prints such as the Magic Lantern of 1753, for which a bodycolour drawing is in the British Museum (1862,1011.890).
Provenance
Purchased at Christie's sale of Lord Harcourt's pictures, 11 June 1948
As part of ongoing provenance research, this work has been identified as having uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933–45. Royal Collection Trust welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era. -
Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Pen and ink and watercolour
Measurements
29.9 x 48.1 cm (sheet of paper)
Object type(s)
Subject(s)
