Rowlandson, Thomas (1756 – 1827) – ‘The Chamber of Genius’.

The artist at work was a favourite theme of Rowlandson's. Here he satirises the Romantic image of the painter pursuing his art at the expense of all worldly concerns; he sits in a cramped and disordered room, the chamber pot at his feet has spilled, one child clamours for his attention while another works bellows beneath a kettle. His wife lazes in bed. Behind his easel are symbols of art and creativity while on the back wall are a tricorn hat and sword suggesting a former, gentlemanly existence. This drawing is preliminary to at least two finished watercolours, one of which is dated 1805.* The subject was also published by Rowlandson as a print in 1812, accompanied by an adapted quotation from the Roman poet Juvenal: 'Want is the Scorn of every wealthy Fool / And Genius in Rags is turn'd to Ridicule'.