Lord Oxmington Repelling Lismahago's Challenge to Single Combat, an illustration from Tobias Smollett's "The Expedition of Humphry Clinker" (London, 1793), Vol. 1 1793

This 1793 engraving by Charles Grignion, I, illustrates a scene from Tobias Smollett's novel "The Expedition of Humphry Clinker." Titled "Lord Oxmington Repelling Lismahago's Challenge to Single Combat," this dynamic artwork depicts a heated confrontation within a domestic setting, capturing the energy and tension of the novel's characters. The scene is filled with details of 18th-century interiors, including a fireplace, furniture, and a window with curtains. The artist's attention to detail and skillful rendering of the figures, as well as the use of cross-hatching for shading, creates a sense of realism and immediacy. The image is a prime example of book illustration in the late 18th century, reflecting the popularity of illustrated novels at the time.