THOMAS ROWLANDSON
(1757-1827)
This aquatint is based on a later version of the watercolour of the same title now in the Frick Collection, New York. There is another version in watercolour in the Cecil Higgins collection, dated 1787.
Mr Henry Angelo (1756-1835) was a close friend of Rowlandson, who would frequent his fencing academy in the Haymarket, London, situated over the entrance to the pit door of the Haymarket Opera House. It has been suggested that the print was intended as an advertisement for the Academy, highlighting some of the famous names of the day, including Angelo’s father Domenico. However this seems unlikely as Domenico Angelo had a major disagreement with his son for almost bankrupting the family by opening the fencing academy. The Angelo Rooms were destroyed by fire on 17 June 1789.
Copyright © Trustees of Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford.
Extract taken from Prints, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery .