Tom Jones Rescues Mrs Waters from the Violence of Northerton, from "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling"

Art Historical Context

This etching by Thomas Rowlandson captures a dramatic from Henry Fielding’s celebrated 1749 novel * History of Tom Jones, Foundling*. The shows the good-hearted hero Tom Jones to protect Mrs. Waters from the assault of theish soldier Northerton, highlighting themes of chivalry, mistaken identity, and social satire that made Fielding’s picaresque tale a landmark of English literature. Created in 1792, more than four decades after the novel’s publication, Rowlandson’s print reflects the continued popularity of *Tom Jones* and the growing 18th-century market for illustrated editions. As an etching—a medium prized for its ability to reproduce fine lines and expressive detail at low cost—the work allowed Rowlandson’s lively, often humorous style to reach a wide audience. Known for his caricatures and scenes of everyday life, Rowlandson brings a sense of movement and theatricality to the rescue, emphasizing the contrast between Tom’s gallantry and Northerton’s aggression. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of prints, this small-scale work (roughly 4½ by 6⅜ inches) exemplifies how book illustration helped shape public imagination of literary classics during the late Georgian era.

About the Artist

Henry Fielding|Thomas Rowlandson (British|British) · 1707 |1757 –1754 |1827

British, 1707–1754|British, London 1757–1827 London