Martin O'Rourke

1 portrait by William Henry Pyne

© National Portrait Gallery, London

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

Martin O'Rourke

by Robert William Smart, by Charles Hunt, after William Henry Pyne
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 1822
8 1/4 in. x 9 7/8 in. (210 mm x 250 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D16908

Sitterback to top

  • Martin O'Rourke (active early 19th century), Swimmer. Sitter in 1 portrait.

Artistsback to top

  • Charles Hunt (1803-1877), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 2 portraits.
  • William Henry Pyne (1769-1843). Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.
  • Robert William Smart (active early 19th century). Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

This is a historical work of art which reflects the attitudes and viewpoints of the time in which it was made. Whilst these may differ from today's attitudes, this image is an important historical document.

Martin O'Rourke is an obscure figure who is likely to have been a celebrated Irish swimmer. He is the central character in this print, wearing sailor's striped trousers and a float on his back. It would appear that he is setting out on a swimming race, cheered on by naval officers and the public.

The print also depicts a black man fearfully entering the water with a naval officer violently pushing and kicking him into the sea. It is likely that the spectators are looking forward to a race but we already see that the black sitter is at an unfair disadvantage as he does not have a float on his back and appears to be entering the water against his will. It could be that he is unable to swim.

This caricature forms a group of prints with a nautical theme by the artist William Henry Pyne. The other prints in the series do not deal with the issue of race. Instead, the gratuitous introduction of a black figure, presented as a frightened stereotype, was probably included for the reaction it would have raised in an audience primed to consider black people as inferior.

Events of 1822back to top

Current affairs

Lord Castlereagh (the Marquis of Londonderry) commits suicide after a blackmail campaign against him.
Tory cabinet joined by liberals George Canning and Robert Peel. Canning is appointed Foreign Secretary.

Art and science

John Nash completes the remodelling of the King's villa, the Brighton Pavilion and begins plans for the new layout of Regent Street and Regent's Park.
The Caledonian Canal opens to link eastern to western Scotland.
The Sunday Times is founded.

International

David Wilkie exhibits celebrated Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Academy to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo. It proves so popular a rail has to be erected to protect it.
First major failure of the potato crop in Ireland. A large-scale public works programme is implemented to provide employment.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.