This early nineteenth century folding screen, embellished with hundreds of figures and scenes painstakingly cut from Rowlandson's satirical prints, was conservation especially for this exhibition.

Although taken from various prints, the collage has been cleverly assembled so that the figures appear to interact with one another.

The decision to display this item set in motion an extended restoration project to remedy the effects of two centuries of wear and tear. During the process the screen was transformed, with punctures, scrapes and losses being infilled and reintergrated and the whole screen undergoing re-varnishing.

To read more about the conservation of this item visit the Conservation section of our website.

To discover more about the screen visit our Collection Online.