Passing Characteristics in Twenty-Six Plates (cover)

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, where encounter *Passing Characteristics in Twenty-Six Plates (cover)*, a delightful 1840 lithograph on paper by Henry Heath, in collaboration with Lefevre & Kohler and I.. Brookes. Measuring a compact 8 7/16 × 6 1/2 inches, this cover image heralds a series of 26 plates capturing the whimsical "passing characteristics" of the day—likely satirical vignettes of fleeting fashions, social types, or eccentric behaviors. Lithography, a revolutionary 19th-century technique allowing artists to draw directly on stone for inexpensive, detailed reproductions, was perfect for such popular print series. Printed on brown paper, it evokes a folksy, handcrafted charm amid the Industrial Revolution's bustle. The tags hint at lively scenes with men and women around cauldrons, perhaps poking fun at Victorian domesticity, superstition, or emerging middle-class quirks. Acquired through The Elisha Whittelsey Collection and funds in 1970, this piece reflects Heath's flair for caricature, offering a window into 1840s British humor and culture. It's a charming reminder of how prints democratized art, entertaining the masses with sharp social observation.

About the Artist

Henry Heath|Lefevre & Kohler|I. B. Brookes (British) · –

British