John Leech

John Leech was an artist whose documented professional activity spanned two decades, from 1817 to 1837. His surviving works, primarily graphical, are concentrated in major American institutions, establishing his importance in the history of illustration and drawing.

Institutional collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, currently preserve 9 drawings, 5 John Leech paintings, and one documented book by the artist. These holdings suggest a varied output emphasizing narrative and satirical subjects. Examples of his work represented in these collections include the observational drawing Boy (loq.) O don't I pity them poor Nobs in Carriages this hot weather, the landscape study The Riverside, Favourable Wind and the Trout Rising as Fast as Possible, and the city scene London at the Sea Side. Further represented titles include Lilthorpe's Gallant Attack on Street, Nuisances and several sets of Proofs.

The concentration of John Leech prints and drawings in public collections secures the availability of his legacy. Many of these historical works are now in the public domain, enabling access to high-quality prints and downloadable artwork for scholars and enthusiasts globally.