Monstrosities of 1816. Scene, Hyde Park

1816

George Cruikshank

British, 1792-1878

European Art

For his Monstrosities series, issued annually from 1816 to 1825 to lampoon the latest style of dress, George Cruikshank drew from the imagery of the contemporary fashion plates that Londoners eagerly consulted. Here, contorted bodies in short, high-waisted dresses and wasp-waisted jackets promenade through Hyde Park, making an absurd contrast with nearby classical statuary. Poking fun at print consumption as much as fashion, Cruikshank’s image satirized those who foolishly attempted to emulate printed images.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Cruikshank, George
Classification: Print
Formatted Medium: Etching and watercolor (hand colored) on wove paper
Medium: etching, watercolor, hand, colored, wove, paper
Dimensions: image: 9 7/8 × 13 7/8 in. (25.1 × 35.2 cm) sheet: 12 1/16 × 19 1/8 in. (30.6 × 48.6 cm)
Departments: European Art
Accession Number: 27.232
Credit Line: Museum Collection Fund
Exhibitions: Rembrandt to Picasso: Five Centuries of European Works on Paper
Rights Statement: No known copyright restrictions
Museum Location: This item is not on view