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Watercolour: West Room Old Library - Cambridge
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Watercolour: West Room Old Library - Cambridge
Watercolour: West Room and the Dome Room of the Old University Library, Cambridge. 1800 by Thomas Rowlandson, Fitzwilliam Museum. A humorous watercolour of academics in the library with chaos caused by a dog and a ladder.
circa 1910s
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Media ID 14368641
© The Roseries Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1800 Cambridge Feb16 Ladder Librarian Rowlandson Studying University Academics
EDITORS COMMENTS
This delightful watercolour by Thomas Rowlandson, titled "West Room Old Library - Cambridge," transports us back in time to the academic halls of the University of Cambridge in the early 19th century. The scene unfolds in the West Room of the Old University Library, where scholars are engrossed in their studies, surrounded by towering bookshelves filled with ancient tomes. But the tranquility of the scholarly pursuit is disrupted by an unexpected intrusion. In the foreground, a mischievous dog, its tail wagging, dashes through the room, knocking over books and causing chaos. Scholars look up from their work in surprise and amusement, some attempting to shoo the dog away while others simply smile at the interruption. Adding to the chaos, a librarian in a tall hat and gown climbs a ladder to retrieve a book from the upper shelves. The precarious ladder wobbles, threatening to topple over, while the librarian clings on for dear life. The scholars below watch the scene unfold with a mix of concern and amusement, some covering their books protectively. This humorous watercolour, created by Thomas Rowlandson in 1800, offers a charming glimpse into the past, showcasing the unexpected interruptions and camaraderie that can be found even in the most serious of academic settings. The image is part of The Roseries Collection at Mary Evans Picture Library and is believed to date from the 1910s.
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