Captain Epilogue
October 5, 1785
Medium
Etching
Dimensions
Sheet: 10 3/8 × 7 3/8 in. (26.3 × 18.8 cm) Plate: 9 13/16 × 6 9/16 in. (25 × 16.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
Accession Number
59.533.106
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
"Captain Epilogue," dated October 5, 1785, is a lively etching that captures the spirit of British satirical printmaking in the late Georgian era. Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, the work is associated with artists including Thomas Rowlandson, known for his sharp caricatures, along with Thomas Cornell and Edward Topham. The etching technique, with its crisp lines and expressive details, was especially suited to circulating witty social commentary among a broad audience. The print’s focus on profiles of men and women underscores its satirical intent, likely poking gentle fun at contemporary figures from military, theatrical, or social circles—the title itself hints at a humorous stage or military persona. Such works were popular conversation pieces, blending humor with subtle critique of fashion, manners, and public life. Acquired through the Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this modest yet engaging sheet (roughly 10 by 7 inches) offers modern viewers an intimate window into 18th-century Britain’s love of visual wit and lively caricature.
About the Artist
Thomas Cornell|Thomas Rowlandson|Edward Topham (British|British) · 1748 |1780 –1823 |1792
British, 1748–1823|British, active 1780–92