A Buck 1790

"A Buck" is a satirical etching by American artist George Murgatroyd Woodward, created in 1790. The artwork depicts a young man in a fashionable but slightly disheveled outfit, likely a "buck" - a term for a fashionable young man, often associated with a dissolute lifestyle. The etching is a commentary on societal trends and morality, using humor to criticize the excesses of the upper classes. Woodward's style is evident in the detailed depiction of the figure and the nuanced use of shading to create depth and texture. The inclusion of the proverb, "Wine is a mocker...strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise," further emphasizes the artist's critical perspective. The etching is currently part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection in New York City.