Ducking a Scold 1809

"Ducking a Scold," an 1809 hand-colored etching by English caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson, depicts the popular 18th century custom of "ducking" a woman accused of being a scold. This satirical print shows a group of men and women surrounding a woman being submerged in water. The woman's terrified expression and the men's gleeful faces create a comical, yet cruel scene. Rowlandson's exaggerated figures and use of humor were hallmarks of his satirical work, often reflecting social commentary on the customs and follies of the time.