Marcellus Laroon

Marcellus Laroon the Elder (1653–1702) was a foundational figure in late 17th-century Anglo-Dutch art, establishing his reputation primarily in London as both a painter and an accomplished engraver. Born in the Netherlands, Laroon migrated to England, where his keen eye for street life and social documentation flourished. He is historically recognized for providing the initial drawings for what became one of the most enduring and popular series of 17th-century prints: The Cries of London. This influential project cemented his position as a pivotal observer of the burgeoning cosmopolitan environment of the period.

While relatively few Marcellus Laroon paintings survive, the works that remain, alongside his numerous detailed drawings, often depicted theatrical, allegorical, or boisterous genre scenes. Drawings such as Man met een bierkan en een roker and the lively Proostend paar display a fluid technique and a delightful focus on the mundane activities of social exchange. Laroon possessed an evident affection for the casual and the convivial, often grounding his subjects in an intimate, relatable realism.

It is notable that while many contemporaries pursued grand portraiture or history painting, Laroon dedicated significant attention to the documentation of ordinary laborers and itinerant merchants. Even the mythological subjects he undertook, such as Silenus met de jonge Bacchus, retain this characteristic earthiness, consciously avoiding classical austerity in favor of a playful immediacy. His willingness to elevate common street subjects established a visual precedent that would influence English genre artists well into the next century.

Laroon’s legacy is inextricably linked to the mass circulation of his images. The original drawings for The Cries of London were disseminated widely through high-quality prints, providing an accessible visual record of the city’s commerce. Today, the enduring interest in his draftsmanship is reflected in major institutional holdings, including the Rijksmuseum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of their age and significance, much of his documentation of English life is now in the public domain, offering researchers and enthusiasts alike royalty-free access to his distinctive visual narratives. These Marcellus Laroon prints, whether focusing on street vendors or military subjects like A mounted drummer from the back, continue to offer museum-quality insight into the late Stuart era.