A Race Meeting

This watercolour is close in style to illustrations that were drawn by the artist for his book 'An Excursion to Brighthelmstone made in the year 1789', a joint venture with his friend Henry Wigstead (1760 - 1840). The book intended to illustrate the pair's journey to Brighton on the south coast, then known as Brighthelmstone, a popular tourist resort. It was decidated to George IV (1762 - 1830), then the Prince of Wales, who was particularly fond of Brighton. Rowlandson's original drawings were engraved by Samuel Alken (1756 - 1815) and the volume published by G G & J Robinson of London in 1790.