Thomas Rowlandson (c. 1756-1827)
Rural Sports, A Milling Match
Thomas Tegg, No. 111 Cheapside, London: September 29, 1811
Hand-colored engraving
10 x 14 inches, overall
Sold, please inquire as to the availability of similar items.
Rare Boxing Print after Thomas Rowlandson
Hand-Colored Engraving: 1811
Hand-Colored Engraving: 1811
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The full title of this rare boxing print is: "Rural Sports, A Milling Match Took Place at Thisselton Gap in the County of Rutland Septr. 28 1811. betwixt Cribb and Molineaux on a 25 foot Stage and was the second Public contest between these two Pugilists. It lasted 19 Minutes and 10 Seconds and was decicive [sic.] in favour of Cribb."
Two boxers are surrounded by a boisterous crowd. In the seventh of 11 rounds, Cribb struck Molineux on the throat and he fell. This moment is portrayed here, as Molineux's seconds (assistants) react with dismay while Cribb's cheer. As is typical of Rowlandson's work, the lively scene is full of picaresque detail: a pair of pickpockets at work, a woman hoisted upon a man's shoulders, two men fighting, carriages and men on horseback.
This print is typical of the work of Rowlandson, an English caricaturist, watercolourist, draughtsman and engraver, most of whose drawings were gently humorous records of urban and rustic life full of incident.