SMITHFIELD SHARPERS or The COUNTRYMEN DEFRAUDED.

Dateca. 1788

Publisher T. Palser

After work by Thomas Rowlandson

Engraver John Keyse Sherwin

OriginEngland, London

MediumBlack and white etching

DimensionsOH: 14 1/4" x OW: 17 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1941-172

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "SMITHFIELD SHARPERS/ or/ The COUNTRYMEN DEFRAUDED./ Painted by T. Rowlandson./ Etch'd by I.K. Sherwin./ Old Trusty with his Town made Friends,/ To gentle Sleep himself commends,/ With Tray upon his knees;/ Whilst Tom his Son, all eager, gaping,/ Expects each moment, he'll be scraping,/ The trasure up he sees./ Mean time the Harpy-Tribe are plotting,/ By forcing liquor, winking, nodding,/ To cheat the Youth unlearn'd,/ Who to his cost, will quickly find,/ Nor Watch, nor Money, left behind,/ And Friends to Sharpers turn'd./ Publish'd by T. Palser, Surry Side, Westminster Bridge."
Label TextIn this black and white engraving, seven men are grouped around a cardtable in a Smithfield tavern. One young innocent inspects his cards; beside him an older countryman lies back asleep, his dog resting his head on his knee. The other gambler holding his cards, looks at his victim. Three onlookers have crafty expressions. A fat man, smoking, approaches with a bowl of punch. In the bar, a fat woman chalks up a score. Coins, a watch, and a pocket-book are on the table. A broken mirror and a picture of a horse decorate the walls. Beneath the table are twelve lines describing, the sleep of 'old Trusty' while his son is cheated by 'the Harpy-Tribe'. "By forcing liquor, winking, nodding." The characters are said to represent Rowlandson and friends.
ProvenancePainting shown at the Royal Academy in 1787.