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The monopolist

The monopolist
1840

Medium
oil on canvas

Measurements
51.1 × 61.0 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1877

Gallery location
19th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International

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About this work

Robert Buss’ painting offers a gentle comedy of manners that perhaps illustrates the injustice of the trade protection policies in Britain in the first half of the nineteenth century. Tariffs against imports kept prices of basic goods artificially high in England, to the profit of landowners and cost of the poor. Supporters of free trade were stifled by repressive measures, including a gag on the press. Buss, whose own finances were shaky at the time of painting this scene, portrays access to basic commodities such as warmth and even the daily news as a privilege of the rich. Reform in favour of free trade took place in 1846.

Artwork Details

Inscription
inscribed in grey paint (on tablecloth) c.r.: RWB (monogram) uss. / 1840

Accession Number
p.305.10-1

Department
International Painting

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited

Subjects (general)
Human Figures Humour and Satire Law, Civics and Protest

Subjects (specific)
capitalists (people) men (male humans) monopolies newspapers political art poor (people) social issues top hats (hats)

Provenance
Exhibited Society of British Artists, London, 1840, no. 359; collection of Robert Napier (1796–1876), London, Glasgow and West Shandon Strathclyde, by 1857, until 1876; Estate of Robert Napier, until 1877; included in the first portion of the Robert Napier sale (Shandon Collection), Christie's, London, 11–20 April 1877 (sold 14 April), no. 548; from where purchased, on the advice of Sir Archibald Michie, for the NGV, 1877.

Exhibited Society of British Artists, London, 1840, no. 359; Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition, Manchester, 1857, no. 389, owner R. Napier


Colourmen

Colourman
ROWNEY

Location of stamp
Centre reverse of canvas

Transcript
GEO' ROWNEY & Co/MANUFACTURERS/51, RATHBONE PLACE/LONDON

Medium
Ink stencil

More Information
National Portrait Gallery