The Lost Apple, from the first issue of Specimens of Polyautography 1803

Thomas Stothard created "The Lost Apple" as a print for the first issue of "Specimens of Polyautography." Consider the social context of the early 19th century, a time when gender roles were sharply defined. Stothard portrays a woman in a classical style dress, standing in what appears to be an orchard. Her gaze is cast downwards, suggesting a sense of loss or contemplation. The missing apple could be a reference to the biblical story of Eve, laden with implications about female disobedience and the loss of innocence. However, this is not the only way to see it. The lost apple could also represent the vulnerability of women in a patriarchal society, where their choices and actions were often scrutinized and judged. Through the simple, yet evocative image of a woman and a missing apple, Stothard invites us to consider the complex interplay between gender, morality, and societal expectations.