An Old Poacher Caught in a Snare
June 19, 1823
Medium
Hand-colored etching
Dimensions
Sheet: 15 11/16 in. × 11 in. (39.8 × 27.9 cm) Plate: 13 7/8 × 9 13/16 in. (35.2 × 25 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
Accession Number
59.533.1779
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the lively world of Regency-era satire, Thomas Rowlandson, a master caricaturist, collaborated with publisher John Fairburn to create *An Old Poacher Caught in a Snare* on June 19, 1823. This hand-colored etching captures a chaotic moment of comeuppance: an elderly poacher ensnared, surrounded by figures expressing anger, fear, men, women, and snarling dogs. Measuring about 14 x 10 inches on the plate, its vibrant hand-applied colors amplify the humor and drama, making it a standout in affordable print culture. Rowlandson's work thrived in early 19th-century Britain, where poaching symbolized class tensions—poor rural folk defying landowners' game laws amid economic hardship. These satirical prints, sold cheaply on London's streets, poked fun at hypocrisy and justice, blending slapstick with social critique. The etching technique allowed Rowlandson's signature exaggerated lines and expressive faces, while hand-coloring added populist appeal, turning moral tales into entertaining spectacles. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this piece exemplifies how visual satire shaped public discourse, inviting viewers to chuckle at human folly while reflecting on societal divides. A timeless reminder of art's bite!
About the Artist
John Fairburn|Thomas Rowlandson (British|British) · 1789 |1757 –1840 |1827
British, active 1789–1840|British, London 1757–1827 London