We're All in the Suds c. 1795

Here is the audio guide script about Robert Dighton's artwork. This print, "We're All in the Suds," was created by Robert Dighton. It depicts a man holding a newspaper and a plate with food. The newspaper, prominently displayed, is titled "Gazette Extraordinary," suggesting a time of upheaval and unusual news. The dish he's holding might represent sustenance, but his surprised expression tells us he's not necessarily enjoying it. The title, "We're All in the Suds," along with the man's reddened face, hints at being in hot water. The phrase itself conjures images of being submerged, perhaps overwhelmed by the era's events. Consider the motif of the "ship of fools," common in earlier art. The feeling of shared misfortune, of everyone being in the same predicament, echoes through time. This image acts as a mirror to our anxieties, connecting past and present. It's a reminder that we are all prone to life’s little mishaps.