The Supreme Bon Ton, No. 3 1801

"The Supreme Bon Ton, No. 3" is an etching by Charles Williams. It satirizes the elite during an era defined by social upheaval. Williams uses caricature to mock the affectations and moral decay of the upper class, amidst the backdrop of the French Revolution. The print reflects the widening gap between the privileged and the poor in British society. Notice how the figures are preoccupied with fashion and leisure. They are indifferent to the ragged children in the corner who are struggling with menial tasks. This juxtaposition underscores the callousness of the elite. Their obsession with "Bon Ton"—high fashion and social etiquette—becomes a symbol of their detachment from the realities faced by the lower classes. Williams critiques the social hierarchies and gender roles of his time. He invites us to question the values of a society where appearances and status trump empathy and equality.