Italian Affectation, Real Characters (September 1, 1780)
Original title: Italian Affectation, Real Characters
kurzbeschreibung
Thomas Rowlandson's etching Italian Affectation, Real Characters is dated 1 September 1780. Two figures meet in a moment charged with drama, set within a landscape that offers no specific detail.
Description
On the left stands a gentleman in formal dress with bows and ribbons; astonishment is written across his face, and his hands rest on his chest. To the right, a lady in a billowing skirt, high collar and an elaborately piled feathered hairstyle, her arms outstretched and her expression troubled. Both figures are placed against a structured, bushy backdrop. The arrangement is asymmetrical, pushing the pair toward the middle so they carry the weight of the picture. The sheet stays black and white, with shading and line modelling contours and surfaces.
Context
Rowlandson, a British caricaturist and printmaker of the late eighteenth century, was known for his satirical eye on society. This sheet was made in 1780, a period of political and social upheaval in Britain. It most likely pokes fun at Italian opera or theatre manners, which were considered affected. Rowlandson often worked for print publishers and issued his work in series.
Impact
Exaggerated gestures and expressions drive the comic, satirical effect. Delicately drawn lines and detailed clothing give rise to a lively, almost stage-ready scene that invites a smile.
Technique
For this etching the drawing was incised into a plate bitten with acid. Fine lines and hatching are characteristic of the process. The sheet measures 23.5 × 18.7 cm and was printed on paper.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)