A Squall in Hyde Park 1791

Thomas Rowlandson sketched this aquatint etching, called 'A Squall in Hyde Park', sometime between 1756 and 1827. The image captures a chaotic scene in Hyde Park, likely during a sudden rainstorm. The print satirizes the social classes and their reactions to an unexpected weather event. Rowlandson, known for his humorous depictions of everyday life, uses the moment to highlight the vulnerabilities and absurdities of different social groups, and their gendered expectations in 18th century England. The upper class, in their carriages, seem aloof, while the lower classes scramble for cover. The women are particularly expressive. The artist seems to be suggesting the superficiality of social distinctions when faced with natural disruption. While the weather is the central theme, the underlying commentary addresses issues of class, gender, and the human condition. Rowlandson invites us to reflect on how society's structures affect individual experiences.