A Real Rubber! At Whist 1820 - 1830

George Hunt made this hand-colored etching, entitled "A Real Rubber! At Whist," in England in the early 19th century. The scene depicts a game of whist, a popular card game among the upper classes, and the exaggerated features of the players suggest a satirical commentary on the social rituals and pretensions of the time. We can see some of the cultural codes of the era, such as elaborate wigs and dresses, aristocratic detachment, and the ever-present male servant. The visual codes used by Hunt create meaning here through caricature, which was a popular form of social critique in Georgian England, often used to comment on class, manners, and morality. Hunt's work reflects the broader context of a society grappling with rapid social and economic changes, as traditional hierarchies were being challenged by new forms of wealth and social mobility. As a social historian, looking at prints like this, I would want to know more about the institutions, like print shops and subscription services, that shaped how art was produced, circulated, and consumed.