Bookseller and Author 25 Sep 1784

A watercolour of a scene inside a bookshop. In the centre stands the bookseller, a portly gentleman with his hands in his pockets and glasses on his forehead. Next to him stands a thinner author holding an open manuscript. The bookseller appears unimpressed. In the background a bespectacled man reads a book closely. A writing desk stands in the background and volumes lie scattered on the floor. A version of this composition was made by Samuel Alken and published by John Raphael Smith (BM Satires 6722)

Descriptive Medium: 'Pen and ink with watercolour', 'watercolour painting, penwork'