Charity Covereth a Multitude of Sins
November 27, 1781
Medium
Hand-colored etching
Dimensions
Sheet: 14 1/8 x 10 1/16 in. (35.9 x 25.5 cm) Plate: 13 3/4 × 9 7/8 in. (35 × 25.1 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
59.533.15
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created in 1781 by British artist Thomas Rowlandson and published by Hannah Humphrey, *Charity Covereth a Multitude of Sins* exemplifies the vibrant tradition of Georgian satirical printmaking. Rowlandson, celebrated for his witty caricatures of English society, used the hand-colored etching technique to reach a broad audience. This affordable medium allowed intricate line work to be reproduced and then individually tinted, giving each impression a lively, personal touch that enhanced its humorous or critical message. The print’s title draws on a biblical phrase while exploring themes of men, women, and social mores through satire. In the late eighteenth century, such works served as both entertainment and subtle commentary on contemporary manners, charity, and hypocrisy. Displayed today at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this etching preserves Rowlandson’s sharp eye for human folly and the enduring appeal of visual satire.
About the Artist
Thomas Rowlandson|Hannah Humphrey · 1756–1827
Thomas Rowlandson (1757–1827) was an English artist and caricaturist whose satirical watercolors and prints captured the social life of Georgian Britain with unparalleled wit and technical mastery. Alongside James Gillray, he is recognized as one of the greatest British graphic artists, and his distinctive flowing line and keen observations have made his work integral to understanding late 18th an...