Light Summer Cloathing
Original title: Light Summer Cloathing [sic]
kurzbeschreibung
Thomas Rowlandson's etching 'Light Summer Cloathing', dated 10 September 1801, presents a lady in light summer dress, holding a parasol in her right hand and wearing a large, elaborately decorated hat. The print belongs to the works in which the artist comments satirically on fashion.
Description
A female figure stands centrally in a long, flowing dress; a large, richly adorned hat sits on her head, and her right hand holds a parasol. The etched style employs sketchy lines and hatching that suggest shadows and give texture to surfaces. The background remains sparse, limited to a few strokes. Monochrome, the gaze is drawn entirely to the figure.
Context
The etching was made in 1801, a period when Rowlandson was known for his satirical depictions of English everyday life. He takes up the fashion of the Regency era with its striking hats and billowing garments and likely caricatures it. He often worked for print publishers who issued his prints in series. This work takes its place in his extensive graphic output, which captures social types and fashionable appearances.
Impact
The sketchy handling gives the sheet liveliness and spontaneity. Because the depiction remains reduced, the fashion phenomenon comes into focus; the exaggerated proportions add a comic note. Thus the viewer is likely to smile at the fashionable exaggeration.
Technique
The etching transfers the drawing to a printing plate etched with acid. Fine lines and hatching create graduated grey values and textures. The sheet measures 29.4 × 23.1 cm, the plate 25 × 20.2 cm – a handy format for graphic art.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)