Thomas Rowlandson

Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827)
Soldiers on parade, France
Pen and grey ink and watercolour over traces of pencil, inscribed: Depot de Gardes Françoise
14.4 x 23.4 cm.; 5 33/4 x 9 ¼ inches

Provenance
Richard Green Ltd

Rowlandson frequently painted military subjects and here he draws English soldiers standing to attention while passers-by walk past unperturbed carrying on their daily activities.

The dépôt de Gardes françaises was the Parisian barracks for the elite regiment of troops which protected the French Royal family and was disbanded in 1789 when the soldiers joined the Revolutionary troops.