A Going! A Going!!!

Art Historical Context

**A Going! A Going!!!** is a vibrant hand-colored etching from June 10, 1809, created by British satirical masters Richard Newton, Rowlandson, and publisher Thomas Tegg. Measuring 10 11/16 × 14 3/16 inches, this print belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection.son, renowned for his caricatures during the Regency era, collaborated here with the prodigiously talented young Newton—whose career was tragically cut short—and Tegg, a key figure in disseminating affordable satirical art to the public. The title mimics an auctioneer's frantic chant, skewering the world of illness, doctors, and men in a humorous takedown of medical quackery or opportunistic practices. Such prints were cultural staples in early 19th-century Britain, where caricature boomed amid social upheavals like the Napoleonic Wars and public skepticism toward authority figures. Hand-coloring added lively appeal, transforming stark etchings into collectible, colorful commentaries that poked fun at everyday absurdities. This work exemplifies the golden age of British satire, blending sharp social critique with exaggerated visuals to entertain and provoke. Visitors will appreciate its enduring bite— a snapshot of Georgian wit preserved for modern eyes.