Fashion
April 2, 1801
Medium
Hand-colored etching
Dimensions
Sheet: 10 5/16 × 8 9/16 in. (26.2 × 21.8 cm) Plate: 9 3/4 × 7 15/16 in. (24.8 × 20.1 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
59.533.779
Tags
Art Historical Context
Thomas Rowlandson's *Fashion*, created on April 2, 1801, is a delightful hand-colored etching that captures the whims and excesses of early 19th-century British society. Rowlandson, a master of satirical caricature during the Regency era, delighted audiences with his witty, exaggerated depictions of everyday life. This print, measuring about 10 by 8 inches, exemplifies his signature style—playful yet pointed commentary on social trends, particularly the evolving world of men's and women's attire. As a hand-colored etching, the work showcases the technical prowess of period printmaking. Etchin...
About the Artist
Thomas Rowlandson · 1756–1827
Thomas Rowlandson (1757–1827) was an English artist and caricaturist whose satirical watercolors and prints captured the social life of Georgian Britain with unparalleled wit and technical mastery. Alongside James Gillray, he is recognized as one of the greatest British graphic artists, and his distinctive flowing line and keen observations have made his work integral to understanding late 18th an...