By using "The world in paintings" website you agree to the usage of Cookies.
A painting created in collaboration by three artists, where each was responsible for his own part: Pugin for the architecture, Rowlandson for the characters, and Bluck for the aquatint. This is not the first joint work of these three authors, but one of the well-known ones. The canvas belonged to the series "Microcosm of London," which depicted contemporary London.
Bartholomew Fair was one of London's most prominent summer fairs, founded to support the Priory of St. Bartholomew. Its history begins in 1133, when King Henry I granted a charter to finance the priory. Every year on August 24, the fair was held near Smithfield Market, London. It was not just a market - it was a vibrant combination of trade, entertainment, and celebrations that attracted crowds from all corners. But over time, the fair became increasingly noisy and began to cause problems, including frequent public riots. In 1855, the authorities decided to stop it, closing the page of a tradition that had lasted for over 700 years.
The work combines aquatint and etching, and the thick application of color conveys the intensity of the event and adds to its noisiness. The architecture is depicted less assertively, but also in detail, and serves as a kind of background for the noise in the foreground. Although it may seem that there is a certain imbalance between cold and warm tones in the color scheme, the canvas as a whole has a finished look. And, of course, it makes you want to examine its details for a long time.
