FDA-D.85-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.85-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Figures Before a Punch and Judy Show
Pilkington
Pilkington
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
collection
collection
Comments
Atkinson travelled to Russia in 1784 with his uncle, the engraver James Walker, and remained there more than fifteen years. On their return to London around 1801, they published a number of volumes of Russian views and accurate depictions of the Russian people, some of the first to appear in Britain. Atkinson showed a similar interest in making costume studies of the English. His fascination for the wide range of characters to be found on the streets of London comes to the fore in the series of drawings of popular entertainments. 'Punch and Judy' was one of a number of such subjects which were published in lithography in 1821. Another drawing in the same series, but, like 'The Savoyards' apparently not published, is the 'Fair scene in London', showing a monkey on a swing, in the Courtauld Institute (Hardie II, pl.110).
The group of continental musicians, one of many which flocked to London in the wake of the revolutionary wars, is portrayed with a placid gracefulness by Atkinson; this is a far cry from the raucous music implied in Hogarth's depictions of street bands, or the treatment as a public nuisance of the unfortunate itinerants being locked up in Wilkie's 1823 painting 'The Parish Beadle' (Tate).
The group of continental musicians, one of many which flocked to London in the wake of the revolutionary wars, is portrayed with a placid gracefulness by Atkinson; this is a far cry from the raucous music implied in Hogarth's depictions of street bands, or the treatment as a public nuisance of the unfortunate itinerants being locked up in Wilkie's 1823 painting 'The Parish Beadle' (Tate).
Other number
Pi 10
A 20685(6)
A 20685(6)
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 222mm
width (actual size): 320mm
width (actual size): 320mm
Materials & techniques note
Pencil, pen and grey ink and with red watercolour
Production
Person
Atkinson, John Augustus, 1775 - 1833 (Artist)
Date
1821
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of Alan Pilkington; by whom presented/bequeathed to Eton College
Exhibited: 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 41
Exhibited: 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 41
Previous ownership
Pilkington, Alan, 1879 - 1973: Bequeathed to Eton by Alan Pilkington, 1973; at Eton from 1963
References
• Wilcox, T., A Genius for Watercolour; Watercolours from the Eton College Collection, Christie's exhibition catalogue, London, 2003 (p. 49, no. 41)
• Pilkington, A., Loan exhibition of early English watercolours, drawings by Old Masters, etchings & engravings from the collection of Alan D. Pilkington: in aid of the Distressed Gentlefolk's Aid Association, Colnaghi & Co, London, 1958 (no. 30)
• Pilkington, A., Loan exhibition of early English watercolours, drawings by Old Masters, etchings & engravings from the collection of Alan D. Pilkington: in aid of the Distressed Gentlefolk's Aid Association, Colnaghi & Co, London, 1958 (no. 30)
