Bow Street Office

March 1, 1808

Not on view

Londoners crowd the Bow Street courtroom, waiting to appear before a Westminster magistrate who sits on a podium in the left background. Established in the 1740s, the court addressed minor crimes such as drunkenness, fighting and prostitution, and helped relieve pressure on higher courts such as the Old Bailey. By focussing on the waiting crowd, instead of those who adminster justice, the print conveys the city's popular energy.

Artwork Details

Title: Bow Street Office
Series/Portfolio: Microcosm of London, pl. 11
Artist: Designed and etched by Thomas Rowlandson (British, London 1757–1827 London)
Artist: Designed and etched by Auguste Charles Pugin (British (born France), Paris 1768/69–1832 London)
Artist: Aquatint by John Hill (American (born England), London 1770–1850 Clarksville, New York)
Publisher: Rudolph Ackermann, London (British, active 1794–1832)
Date: March 1, 1808
Medium: Hand-colored etching and aquatint
Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed): 13 1/16 × 17 1/16 in. (33.1 × 43.3 cm)
Plate: 8 11/16 × 10 5/8 in. (22.1 × 27 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
Object Number: 17.3.1167-135
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Migrants, Thomas Rowlandson British, Watercolor — Migrants
Thomas Rowlandson
1780–1827

Going to Ivy Bridge, Thomas Rowlandson British, Watercolor — Going to Ivy Bridge
Thomas Rowlandson
1780–1827

The Sailor's Return from Active Service, Thomas Rowlandson British, Watercolor — The Sailor's Return from Active Service
Thomas Rowlandson
1780–1827

Departure of Blanchard and Jeffries' Balloon from Dover, January 7, 1785, Thomas Rowlandson British, Hand-colored etching — Departure of Blanchard and Jeffries' Balloon from Dover, January 7, 1785
Multiple artists/makers
January 1794

Ships and Sailors, Thomas Rowlandson British, Watercolor — Ships and Sailors
Thomas Rowlandson
late 18th–early 19th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.