Prints: P1138

Title

The Reverend Doctor Syntax

Date

1812

Dimensions

height: 23cm
width: 13.5cm

Other materials

Hand Coloured Engraving with Aquatint

Inscription/signature

"Rowlandson Delt/ THE REVD. DOCTOR SYNTAX./ Pub. May 1st 1812 at R. Ackerman's Repository of Arts 101 Strand, London"

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Professor Jim Davis, acquired by the Garrick Club in 2024

Other number

E0162

This image is the frontispiece to the book 'The Tour of Doctor Syntax in search of the Picturesque' by W. Combe with illustrations by Thomas Rowlandson. The story written in the form of a verse is about a fictional school master and pastor who decides to write a book about his travels and experiences in search of the Picturesque. Writing about the Picturesque was fashionable in the early 19th century, adn so the story and the prints were lampooning the likes of John Gilpin who wrote in earnest about the rural landscapes and vews in search of the Picturesque. It was published in serial form by Rudolph Ackerman from 1809 until 1821.