Thomas Rowlandson

The Duel (The English Dance of Death)

Thomas Rowlandson & "The Duel" from 'The English Dance of Death': This original aquatint and etching, entitled "The Duel" was designed and engraved by Thomas Rowlandson & published by Rudolph Ackermann in 1815 for the series entitled "The English Dance of Death", published in two volumes in 1815 and 1816. The 'Duel' is a gentleman's arrangement or challenge to combat another individual in order to restore their honour. They would then agree to submit to certain rules set by both parties and fight with similar weapons (usually, swords or pistols). Unfortunately, this most often lead to fatal injuries. The words beneath the engraving read; "Here Honour, as it is the Mode to Death consigns the weighty load". "The Duel" is a fine, original example of the 19th century satirical art created by the British artist, Thomas Rowlandson.

The Duel from The English Dance of Death

Honour's a very common word
By all and ev'ry where preferred,
But what's its meaning,-- Where's the Key,
That will unlock the Mystery?
It seems to change in ev'ry street,
And with each person that we meet.
-- Ask the old Maid of fifty-three,
She whispers, 'tis Virginity.
-- Ask the gay Virgin, in her teens,
What this self-same expression means?
She'll say, when a young Miss can Boast,
To be an universal Toast.
-- In Bond-street, of the Loungers there
Enquire for Honour,-- when and where
'Tis to be found:-- Why some will say
In paying debts, when lost at play:
In guiding, with adroit command,
The gay Barouche and four-in-hand;
With equal grace to swear and rail
As any Coachman of a Mail.

-- If in your walks you chance to pop
Your head into a Tradesman's shop,
What though he lies from morn to night,
If he can get a Guinea by’t
Let him but pay his Bills when due;
He is a Man of Honour too.
-- The Jobber in the Stock Exchange,
Call him a Rogue -- he’ll say ‘tis strange;
For if he’s neither Bull nor Bear,
He is a Man of Honour there.
Go to the Temple, or Gray’s Inn,
And ask where Honour’s to be seen? --
The Porter answers, ‘tis not known
Within those quarters of the Town;
But if you touch him with a Fee,
Though all in vain, He’ll go and see.
-- The Soldier, if you name the word,
Lays his rough hand upon his Sword;…

*SYNTAX (Dr.) phrenonym [William Combe, 1741-1823].

Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour by the British satirical artist, Thomas Rowlandson.

The Duel from The English Dance of Death Original Aquatint and Etching by the British satirical artist Thomas Rowlandson

The Duel (The English Dance of Death)

View other original etchings by Thomas Rowlandson.

Thomas Rowlandson (London, 1756 - 1827)
#	Title & Artist	Medium	Date	Notes	-
01.-	Admiration etched by Thomas Rowlandson designed by George Moutard Woodward	Original Soft Ground Etching	1800	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Available
02.-	Deadly Lively by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Hand-Coloured Etching	1815	Published by Thomas Tegg, London	Sold
03.-	Doctor Syntax, Copying the Wit of the Window by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Hand-Colored Etching & Aquatint	1809 (1st Ed.)	Published by The Poetical Magazine at Rudolph Ackermann's Repository of Arts, 101 Strand, London	Available
04.-	Hot Goose, Cabbage & Cucumbers by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Hand-Coloured Etching	1823	Published by John Fairburn, Ludgate Hill	Sold
05.-	Preaching to Some Purpose etched by Thomas Rowlandson designed by George Moutard Woodward	Original Etching	1801	Publishd by Rudolph Ackermann, The Strand, London	Sold
06.-	The Battle from The English Dance of Death by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour	1815	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Available
07.-	The Bishop from The English Dance of Death by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour	1815	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Sold
08.-	The Consultation or Last Hope by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Etching	1808	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Sold
09.-	The Corporal in Good Quarters by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Hand-Coloured Etching	1808 (2nd Ed.)	Published by S. Howitt, London	Available
10.-	The Death Blow from The English Dance of Death by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour	1815	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Sold
11.-	The Dram Shop from The English Dance of Death by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour	1815	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Sold
12.-	The Duel from The English Dance of Death by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour	1815	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Sold
13.-	The Gaming Table from The English Dance of Death by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour	1815	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Sold
14.-	The Manager's Last Kick, Or a New Way to Pay Old Debts by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Hand-Coloured Etching	c. 1815	Published in London	Sold
15.-	The Pantomime from The English Dance of Death by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour	1815	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Sold
16.-	The Quaker, and the Comissioners of Excise etched by Thomas Rowlandson designed by George Moutard Woodward	Original Hand-Coloured Etching	1807	Pulished by Thomas Tegg, London	Sold
17.-	The Wedding from The English Dance of Death by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour	1815	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, London	Sold
18.-	The Tooth-Ache, or, Torment & Torture by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Hand-Coloured Etching	1823	Published by John Fairburn, Ludgate Hill	Sold
19.-	Wapping by Thomas Rowlandson	Original Etching	1807	Published by Rudolph Ackermann, Repository of Arts, London	Sold

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Title:	The Duel (The English Dance of Death)
Artist:	Rowlandson, Thomas (London, 1756 - 1827)
Date:	1815
Medium:	Original Aquatint & Etching Printed in Colour
Publisher:	Rudolph Ackermann, London
Printer:	Rudolph Ackermann, London
Note:	Thomas Rowlandson: Along with Hogarth, Gillray and Cruikshank, Thomas Rowlandson is at the uppermost peak of English satirical art. Amongst these masters, however, Rowlandson was the most gifted artist and his compositions always seemed the closest to the truth for he often lived the dissipated style of life he so memorably satirized. After studying in both Paris and London, Thomas Rowlandson began his career as a portrait painter. By 1782, however, he devoted himself almost exclusively to his first love; caricature and satirical art. After receiving a large inheritance, Thomas Rowlandson quickly gambled it away. After losing his fortune at a thirty-six hour card game he is known to have exclaimed, "I've played the fool, but (holding up his pencils) here is my resource."
	Working with such publishers as Flores and Thomas Tegg, Thomas Rowlandson designed many memorable satires. His greatest work, however, lay ahead in the early nineteenth century when he collaborated with the famous London publisher, Rudolph Ackermann, to produce some of the finest satirical series in the history of art. These included The Microcosm of London (1808), The Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of the Picturesque (1812) and The English Dance of Death, published in two volumes in 1815 and 1816. Loosely based upon Holdbein's Renaissance "Dance of Death", this latter series superbly uncovers the foibles of early nineteenth century life. For each of these original prints, Thomas Rowlandson created the drawings and etched the plates. Ackermann and his studio then provided the aquatinting and hand-colouring. The etchings from The English Dance of Death have long taken their place as among Rowlandson's greatest works of original art. This original impression, entitled "The Duel" hails from The English Dance of Death. The 'Duel' is a gentleman's arrangement or challenge to combat another individual in order to restore their honour. They would then agree to submit to certain rules set by both parties and fight with similar weapons (usually, swords or pistols). Unfortunately, this most often lead to fatal injuries. The words beneath the engraving read; "Here Honour, as it is the Mode to Death consigns the weighty load".
Source:	The English Dance of Death
Size:	4 1/4 X 8 7/8 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Matted with 100% Archival Materials
Condition:	This original impression, entitled "The Duel" is printed on early nineteenth century wove paper and with full margins as published in London by Rudolph Ackermann in 1815. In excellent condition throughout and a prime, original example of the legendary satirical art of the great Thomas Rowlandson.
Price:	Sold - The price is no longer available.
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