- Artist
- Thomas Sword Good 1789–1872
- Medium
- Oil paint on mahogany
- Dimensions
- Support: 241 × 190 mm
- Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Presented by Robert Vernon 1847
- Reference
- N00378
Online caption
In this painting, reading the news is presented as a solitary rather than social activity – the man is wholly absorbed in his paper. Like Newsmongers shown nearby, this subject reflects the wide readership of the news during this period. Public interest in current affairs grew in the early 19th century (particularly during the Napoleonic Wars), driving the demand for newspapers. Thomas Sword Good specialised in these small, interior scenes. He was especially interested in lighting effects. However, one critic praised this painting as ‘a pleasing departure from his usual and rather mannered style’.
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