Autumn c. 18th century

Robert Dighton made this hand-colored etching and aquatint called ‘Autumn’ sometime around the turn of the 19th century. It’s a period of enormous social change, and this print, like many others, reflects the lives of the wealthy. Consider the woman’s dress, it’s a fashionable, if rather absurd, confection. This is how the elite marked themselves, setting themselves apart. The trappings of wealth are everywhere: the elaborate hairstyle, the musical instrument, the view of a distant vista through the open window, even the grapes she holds in her hand, are all signifiers of privilege. But more than that, this is a commentary on leisure. The grapes and parrot indicate that she has time on her hands. During this period of immense transformation, artists such as Dighton helped to solidify class divisions through images that, even if subtly satirical, still reinforced the status quo. Ultimately, the artwork becomes a mirror reflecting the values and structure of its society.