The Connoisseur
Thomas Rowlandson British
Not on view
The leading late-eighteenth century satirist Rowlandson here uses delicate shades of gray, touched with pale pink and blue, to mock the contrasting desires of youth and age. Seated before a steaming urn, symbolizing passion, an elderly art enthusiast eagerly examines a group of miniatures. At the same time, a comely young woman and her maid take advantage of his diverted attention. The gentleman's literal shortsightedness acts as a visual pun, pointing to his inability to judge character and suggesting that he also possesses little knowledge of art.
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