My Lady

Art Historical Context

**My Lady** is a delightful hand-colored etching and engraving from September 1, 1821, created anonymously by a British artist and published by S.W. Fores, a prominent London printmaker known for satirical and sporting scenes. Measuring 10 13/16 x 7 3/16 inches, this compact print captures a lively moment featuring men and horses, evoking the vibrant equestrian culture of Regency-era Britain. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, it reflects the era's fascination with horse racing, hunting, and gentlemanly pursuits. Hand-coloring was a hallmark technique of early 19th-century British printmaking, transforming black-and-white etchings—intaglio processes that allowed fine lines and tonal depth—into vivid, affordable artworks for middle-class homes and taverns. Fores specialized in such popular imagery, often blending humor with social commentary, making "My Lady" a snapshot of Regency leisure and perhaps a playful nod to a prized mare or fashionable lady rider. This piece offers a window into 1820s Britain, where prints like this fueled public discourse on class, sport, and spectacle. Visitors will appreciate its charm and the meticulous craftsmanship that brought horses and men to life with spirited energy.

About the Artist

Anonymous, British, 19th century|S. W. Fores · 1800–1900

**Anonymous, British, 19th century** is not the name of a single individual but a standard museum attribution used for works whose creators remain unidentified yet are clearly British and date to the 1800s. Major institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, employ this designation for hundreds of drawings, prints, designs, and decorative studies that lack signatures or firm documentary ...