The Publican's Prayer
September 20, 1801
Medium
Hand-colored etching
Dimensions
Sheet: 15 3/16 × 9 9/16 in. (38.6 × 24.3 cm) Plate: 7 11/16 × 9 9/16 in. (19.6 × 24.3 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
59.533.804
Tags
Art Historical Context
"The Publican's Prayer," a hand-colored etching dated September 20, 1801, brings together the talents of caricaturists George Murgatroyd Woodward and Thomas Rowlandson with printmaker Edward Spragg. Created during the vibrant Georgian era in Britain, this print reflects the lively tradition of satirical imagery that flourished in London’s print shops. Hand-colored etchings like this one allowed artists to reach a broad audience, combining sharp line work with lively watercolor washes to highlight humorous or moral themes. The composition centers on figures engaged in prayer, including women s...