A College Scene, or a Fruitless Attempt on the Purse of Old Square-toes
Original title: A College Scene, or a Fruitless Attempt on the Purse of Old Square-toes
kurzbeschreibung
Edward Williams the Elder made this print, titled A College Scene, or a Fruitless Attempt on the Purse of Old Square-toes, on 1 August 1787. It is a hand-coloured etching that combines stipple and soft-ground techniques. Two men in historical dress appear in a room resembling a study; between them lies an open book, and a dog is present. The background is filled with bookshelves and a globe.
Description
In a room identified as a college or study, two men sit facing each other. The man on the left wears a brown jacket, a white apron and a black hat; holding a stick, he looks thoughtfully to the right. His counterpart on the right is dressed in a blue jacket, white apron, black waistcoat and black hat, and gestures towards the other with one hand. On the floor between them lies an open book, and a dog sits in front of the left man. Bookshelves with books and a globe can be seen in the background, while the window is fitted with a grille.
Context
The print was made in England in 1787, an era when satirical prints mocked social types and academic milieus. Edward Williams the Elder worked as a painter and printmaker; this etching is one of his lesser-known works. The choice of a college subject ties in with contemporary debates about university education and its abuses. The title refers to the futile attempt of an older man, described as 'Square-toes', to get hold of money.
Impact
The calm confrontation of the figures and the detailed setting give the scene a narrative yet static character. The hand-colouring lends the print a lively, almost genre-like effect that softens the satirical undertone. Viewers are invited to decipher the relationship between the two men and the symbolic meaning of the book, dog and globe.
Technique
The etching combines stipple and soft-ground techniques and was subsequently coloured by hand. Stippling produces fine dots for tonal values, while soft-ground allows softer lines and textures. The manually applied colouring adds accents to the jackets and accessories, thereby enhancing the graphic effect.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)