Rowlandson, Thomas (1756 – 1827) – Returning from Market – A Romance.

This large sheet is a good example of Rowlandson's ability to seemlessly thread humour and narative into an otherwise bucolic scene. A party is returning from market along a lane that tracks a picturesque river. A young man makes overtures to the beautiful young woman on horseback. Is he a wayfarer they have passed on the road, or someone who has seen the party at the market and followed them in pursuit? Futher down the road ride a man and woman, surely the young maiden's parents. The mother, turning in her saddle has just noticed something is happening behind them.