Caricatures Anglaises: Monsieur Craque Perruquier et Mademoiselle Flore
Original title: Caricatures Anglaises: Monsieur Craque Perruquier et Mademoiselle Flore
kurzbeschreibung
A man and a woman face each other in a mirror-like arrangement, both caricatured. This anonymous French hand-colored etching, titled “Caricatures Anglaises: Monsieur Craque Perruquier et Mademoiselle Flore,” dates from after August 1800. It pokes fun at English manners and types in the taste of the period around 1800.
Description
The layout is symmetrical: the man poses on the left, the woman on the right. His hair sits in a tangle that recalls a cap; in his hands he holds a knife, a bottle, and various small props. His facial expression is exaggerated and comically ironic. The woman wears a hat with a flower and around her neck a wreath of flowers and fruit—a cheerful motif. Strong colors, especially blue, pink, yellow, and green, dominate the print.
Context
This print belongs to the series “Caricatures Anglaises,” which targets English fashions and types. It was made in France after August 1800. The creator’s anonymity is typical of popular pictorial prints of the time. Such etchings were sold individually or in series and appealed to a broad audience interested in humorous social imagery.
Impact
The exaggerated facial features and the symmetrical arrangement produce an immediate comic effect. Bright colors and details like the flower wreath give the sheet a cheerful, almost theatrical atmosphere. Overall, the scene reads as mocking but not malicious social satire.
Technique
The etching was hand-colored after printing. The colors were therefore applied manually, which means individual impressions can show slight differences. The plate measures 27.2 × 26.8 cm, while the sheet at 36.1 × 27.5 cm is somewhat larger, suggesting a full margin.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)