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Man using bellows in front of a fire in a smoky room
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Man using bellows in front of a fire in a smoky room
Man using bellows in front of a fire in a smoky room with a scolding wife and bawling child. Handcoloured copperplate engraving designed and etched by Thomas Rowlandson to accompany Reverend James Beresfords Miseries of Human Life, Ackermann, 1808
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Media ID 23389790
© Florilegius
Ackermann Asleep Bellows Beresford Chambermaid Discomfort Error Etching Georgian Guest Human Miseries Mistake Pulling Regency Reverend Rowlandson Satire Smoky Warming
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This hand-colored copperplate engraving, designed and etched by Thomas Rowlandson for Reverend James Beresford's "Miseries of Human Life," published by Ackermann in 1808, depicts a man in Regency-era attire frantically using bellows to stoke the fire in a smoky room. The scene is filled with a palpable sense of discomfort and chaos. The man's wife, with an expression of disapproval and annoyance, stands nearby, shielding her child from the smoke and heat. The child, in turn, wails in distress, adding to the cacophony of the room. A chambermaid, peering in from the doorway, rolls her eyes at the scene before her. The man's attention is divided between the fire and the pan on the hearth, which appears to be boiling over. It seems that he has made an error in his attempt to warm a guest's bed, leading to this chaotic and uncomfortable situation. The intricately detailed engraving showcases the satirical and caricatured style of Rowlandson, highlighting the common mishaps and misadventures of everyday life in the Georgian era. The use of hand-coloring adds depth and richness to the image, making it a captivating and humorous commentary on the challenges and discomforts of life.
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