Thomas Rowlandson.

Dressing for a Birthday.

19 x 14.5 inches

A hand coloured etching with additional aquatinting, engraved and drawn by Thomas Rowlandson and published in London in 1788.

The excitement is palpable in this evocative depiction of two ladies, of very different sizes and complexions, getting ready to attend a royal birthday party at St. James's Palace. One, the larger and less toothsome of the two, stands defiantly in front of the mirror, bare breasted and pleased with what she sees. A maid is struggling to attach a flamboyant wig and feather combination to her head whilst another attendant applies damage limitation to the boddice below. The other young lady, altogether more delicate and more demure, is being shown a formal gown by an old crone and is about to be subjected to some additional padding from an eager manservant. One can only imagine what fun they had at the party later!

£850