A College Scene, or a Fruitless Attempt on the Purse of Old Square-toes

Art Historical Context

This lively hand-colored etching from 178 captures a humorous moment of generational tension, likely depicting a college student’s failed attempt to persuade a stern older man—nicknamed “Old Square-to”—to open his purse. Created by Thomas Rowlandson, a leading British caricaturist of the Georgian era, the print reflects the period’s vibrant tradition of social satire, where artists poked fun at university life, family dynamics, and the foibles of the middle and upper classes. The work’s medium—etching enhanced with stipple and softground techniques—allowed for expressive line work and subtle tonal effects that were then brought to life with delicate hand-coloring. Such prints were widely circulated, making sharp social commentary accessible to a broad audience beyond elite collectors. The presence of dogs in the scene adds a playful touch, underscoring Rowlandson’s skill at blending everyday details with witty observation. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this sheet offers modern viewers a charming window into late-eighteenth-century British humor and printmaking innovation. Its modest scale and lively composition invite close looking, rewarding visitors with both visual delight and insight into the era’s cultural attitudes toward youth, money, and authority.

About the Artist

Thomas Rowlandson|John Raphael Smith|Edward Williams the Elder · 1756–1827

Thomas Rowlandson (1757–1827) was an English artist and caricaturist whose satirical watercolors and prints captured the social life of Georgian Britain with unparalleled wit and technical mastery. Alongside James Gillray, he is recognized as one of the greatest British graphic artists, and his distinctive flowing line and keen observations have made his work integral to understanding late 18th an...