Volume 1

Microcosm of London / [Anon].

Date:
[1808-1811]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Microcosm of London / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    many attempts to obtain it; but, alas! those attempts have not hitherto been crowned with success. The print displays a very correct view of the scene it professes to describe, and to those who have been engaged in the business will be so interesting, that they will not be likely to want any illustration of it. To those who have never been either parties or spectators, it is hoped it will prove attractive. We therefore submit it, with all that follow it, to a candid public, with the conviction, that what- ever highly merits approbation, is sure to receive it. THE GREAT ROOM AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY, AT THE TIME OF AN EXHIBITION. This most spirited drawing is covered with the representation of pictures and figures, in a manner with which it would not be easy to find one with which it could be paralleled; nor would it be easy to find any other artist, except Mr. Row- landson, who was capable of displaying so much separate manner in the delinea- tions placed on the walls, and such an infinite variety of small figures, contrasted with each other in a way so peculiarly happy, and marked with such appropriate character. The peculiar mode by which different persons shew the earnestness with which they contemplate what they are inspecting, and display an absorbed attention to the object before them, is incomparably delineated; and the whole forms an admirable little picture of that busy scene, in which such crowds are annually engaged in watching the progress of the fine arts as annually exhibited at the Royal Academy. To point out any number of figures as peculiarly entitled to attention, would be an insult to the spectator, as very many would necessarily be left out of the catalogue, and every man of taste will discern them at a glance.
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