Grog on Board 1789

Thomas Rowlandson created this hand-coloured etching called 'Grog on Board' around 1789, capturing a boisterous scene inside what appears to be a tavern. Looking at the scene, we see a snapshot of late 18th-century English social life, replete with its class distinctions and indulgences. The composition seems to critique the Georgian era's obsession with pleasure, depicting a crowded space where men and women are drinking, smoking, and generally engaging in revelry. The artist uses caricature to emphasize what he sees as moral failings. This was a common approach in satirical prints which were popular at the time, and sold widely. To truly understand this artwork, we need to dig into sources from the period: conduct manuals, social commentaries, and even the popular press. These help us understand how Rowlandson's work engaged with the social norms of his day. It is through such investigation that the image can be understood as something more than just a depiction of a drinking party.