“All Fours”

Henry Bunbury (1750-1811) attended the best schools in England, trying his hand at a variety of different art forms, but discovered that his interest and talent lay in his ability to create humorous drawings. His comfortable station in life enabled him to pursue this inclination. He created caricatures so highly regarded that his work is considered to be on a par with that of his contemporaries, Rowlandson and Gillray.

In this engraving, Bunbury depicted two gentlemen engaged in rancorous debate. Someone is cheating. Who is it? The potbellied older gentleman in black or the pigtailed dandy in brown?

Hand colored copper engraving.
10 3/8 x 14 inches, sheet.
Excellent condition.