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Dimensions: 19 by 25 cm., 7 1/2 by 9 3/4 in.

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Provenance: Anonymous sale in these Rooms, 26th March 1975, lot 299 (bt.Frank T.Sabin)

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Notes: A rare drawing by Rowlandson dating from the early 1780's this appears to be his earliest depiction of an auction taking place. The vigorous, rapid drawing style records with absolute confidence the crowded room. The hammer is about to fall as the auctioneer sells one of a set of chairs. Another is passed over the head of bystanders to the right. On the left the clerks carefully record the price whilst in the foreground a couple seated and a gentleman with his dog, perhaps owners or spectators carefully watch the proceedings. Nearer the rostrum participants in the auction look up to the auctioneer.

This drawing made on the spot relates particularly in style, but not content, to sketches Rowlandson made in the Autumn of 1784 when travelling to the New Forest and the Isle of Wight with his friend Henry Wigstead (Henry E.Huntington Collection). Indeed, Wigstead himself who appears in some of those drawings may be in the present composition. Other sketches with which it corresponds stylistically include John Bannister in His Dressing Room at Drury Lane, December 23, 1783 (Paul Mellon Collection) and Painting under Difficulties (National Galleries of Scotland).

A brilliant example of his early style, this drawing displays the swift and unselfconscious method he used before colour became an important part of his work