Jan & John Maggs

Antiques and Art

Four O’Clock in the Country & Four O’Clock in Town.

A pair of comparative prints by Thomas Rowlandson (1757 – 1827)

Framed 20th-century copies published by Colonial Williamsburg

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In the country: The episode presented in this picture is the complete reverse of that shown in the companion plate, Four o'clock in Town. While the London rake is being assisted to his late bed the country Nimrod is rising with the dawn. The enthusiast for the chase has tumbled out of his early couch ; his clothes are hastily thrown on in the partial light of daybreak, and he is, while still half-asleep, making terrific exertions to draw on his boots. His wife, who has not had time to commence her toilette, and who, evidently, will resume her interrupted repose on the departure of the hunting party, is standing, exactly as she has left her bed, with a bottle of cordial and a glass, pouring out a nip of comfort to keep out the cold, for the benefit of her sporting spouse.

In Town: A young and well-favoured military buck has returned to his house at the advanced and disreputable hour of four o'clock in the morning, as indicated in the title; he has evidently been 'making a night of it,' and is considerably the worse for his potations. His young and pretty wife, who is in bed, is thrown into a mixed condition between consternation, fear, and resentment at the condition of her gallant spouse ; the husband is propped up in an armchair, and left to the care of two comely housemaids, who are making efforts to assist this hopeless rake to divest himself of his clothes. (Notes by the Royal Collection Trust)

Overall dimensions of each: 16 ¾” X 9 ⅜”

Price: $95

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FOUR O'CLOCK IN THE COUNTRY

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FOUR O'CLOCK IN THE CITY

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THE PAIR

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