A Bouquet of the Last Century
Original title: A Bouquet of the Last Century
kurzbeschreibung
James Gillray's etching 'A Bouquet of the Last Century', dated 1 February 1802, presents a lady in historical finery peering from a carriage window and offering a bouquet of flowers. The hand-coloured print measures 25.9 by 20.3 cm and pokes fun at the fashions and manners of bygone days.
Description
A woman in richly ornamented historical dress with a large headscarf looks out from a carriage window; colourful appliqués decorate her gown. A bouquet rests in her hand. To the right, parts of the carriage with golden ornaments and a coat of arms are visible; on the left, a piece of a uniform with gold braid. Greys and browns dominate the palette, with accents of gold and the flowers. Light falling from outside emphasises the figures and objects; at the bottom is a text panel with a verse line about the fashion of the last century.
Context
The British caricaturist James Gillray was famous around 1800 for his satirical prints. In 1802, the year this etching was made, he often took up fashionable follies and social conventions. The title and accompanying text aim to criticise the revival of eighteenth-century fashions. The sheet belonged to a series of caricatures published in London.
Impact
The exaggerated figure and its humorous text immediately draw a smile from the viewer. By combining historical dress with ironic commentary, the transience of fashions becomes vivid. Light and shadow, along with fine details, give the sheet a lively presence.
Technique
For this hand-coloured etching, the lines were etched into copper and then painted with watercolours. Gillray's virtuosity in etching shows in the fineness of the strokes; the colouring remains restrained and sets golden accents. The sheet, trimmed to the plate mark, measures 25.9 by 20.3 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)