[A group of ten caricatures depicting Jewish subjects].

Anti-semitic caricatures by Rowlandson. A collection of ten anti-semitic caricatures by Rowlandson.

Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) was an English artist, caricaturist and engraver, considered one of the most influential graphic artists of his time. A prolific artist, he left at least sixty graphic works depicting Jews, many of which are anti-semitic in nature and look overtly-racist even by the standards of his time. Rowlandson used to visit the Rag Fair market in Houndsditch, where he would often make sketches of London's Jewish poor. Images of Jews in Rowlandson's caricatures tend to be derogatory, the subjects portrayed as moneylenders, stockjobbers, sexual predators and pedlars. Rowlandson was a contemporary of such artists as James Gillray, the Cruikshanks, Matthew Darly and Robert Dighton, all active in the period that is considered 'the Golden Age of British Caricature' (lasting from 1770 to the time of George IV's death in 1830).

'Traffic', [London, 1785] was produced in collaboration with Henry Wigstead, an amateur artist and friend of Rowlandson, who collaborated with him on a number of other works. This version of 'Mrs. Smouch longing for Piggy', London, [c. 1813] is the rarest out of the few variations of this print in existence.

A Lady in Limbo or Jew Bail Rejected', London, [John Raphael Smith], [c. 1785]. Hand-coloured etching, mounted; plate size: 22.4 x 30 cm; mount size: 38.8 x 45.6 cm; 'Get Money Money still, And then let Virtue follow, if she will', [London], [Richard Reeve], [1808]. Hand-coloured etching, mounted, framed and glazed; overall size: 47.5 x 39.3 cm; 'A Monkey Merchant', [London], 1812. Hand-coloured etching, mounted, framed and glazed; overall size: 47.5 x 39.3 cm; 'Stocks Are Up! Huzza!!', London, R. Akerman, 10 August 1799. Thomas Rowlandson etching after a caricature by George Murgatroyd Woodward. Hand-coloured, plate size: 22 x 19.5 cm, Some browning to paper; 'A Visit to the Synagogue', London, Thomas Tegg, 28 April 1809. Hand-coloured etching; overall size: 22.5 x 32.5 cm. Small marginal tears to the bottom margin, affecting text; 'Money Lenders', [London], W. Humphrey, 1784. Hand-coloured etching, mounted; plate size: 27.5 x 36 cm, mount size: 41.7 x 52 cm; 'Traffic', [London], [1785]. Hand-coloured etching and aquatint on paper, mounted; plate size: 26.5 x 34.5 cm, mount size: 41.7 x 49.7 cm; 'Unloading a Waggon', London, Thomas Tegg, 1813. Hand-coloured etching, mounted; plate size: 23.5 x 33.7 cm; mount size: 38.5 x 49 cm; 'Family Quarrels or The Jew & The Gentile', London, T. Williamson, 25 January 1803. Hand-coloured etching, mounted; plate size: 33.5 x 24 cm; mount size: 32 x 44 cm; 'Mrs. Smouch longing for Piggy', London, [c. 1813]. Hand-coloured etching; overall size: 32 x 25 cm; both bottom corners of are cut out (without loss), staining and soiling to the upper part of the print.

The British Museum 1871,0812.4493, 1948,0214.647; The MET 59.533.628, 56.567.24, 59.533.1287, 59.533.79, 59.533.484, 59.533.1538; RCIN 810640, 810116, 810154, 810518, 810456, 810587, 810893; Rubens AJI 1128, 1125; The Jewish Museum London AR 926.2; USHMM 2016.184.474, 2016.184.489, 2016.184.175, 2016.184.172, 2016.184.173, 2016.184.162.