# The Wonderful Pig

**Thomas Rowlandson** (British, 1756–1827)  
1785  
etching  
sheet: 26.5 × 36.9 cm (10 7/16 × 14 1/2 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1945.5.201. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.30978.html).

## About this work

Thomas Rowlandson made this in 1785, aged 29. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

This is a drawing showing a pig performing a trick for an audience. It depicts a group of people watching the pig interacting with cards on the floor. The detailed image shows the varied facial expressions of the audience members. There is text at the top of the image suggesting the pig has a unique ability, possibly related to languages. The drawing captures a moment of entertainment in a satirical style, with lines and cross-hatching used to emphasize the humor.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Etching.** The artist draws with a needle through a waxy coating on a copper plate, and acid bites the exposed lines. The plate is then inked, wiped and printed under pressure, so the line keeps the freedom of drawing.

### [Thomas Rowlandson](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/thomas-rowlandson)

British, 1756–1827

## Facts

- Type: Print
- The artist was 29
- Real size: about 10 × 15 in (27 × 37 cm). The 11 × 14 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 18th century
- Subjects: interior, animal, Figures, Writing
- Colour: olive
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1462.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1462/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-wonderful-pig-nga-30978).