Man in a square cap, in profile right 1758 - 1787

James Hazard created this tiny etching of a man in a square cap sometime before his death in 1787. Its rough lines and modest size suggest the print wasn't intended for a formal exhibition. More likely, it was a private work, maybe a study of a particular character. Prints like this circulated widely in the late 18th century, and artists from different backgrounds used them to explore the look and feel of everyday life. The popularity of prints also helped create a market for images that challenged the status quo, often through satire and caricature. Hazard lived at a time of rising political tensions in both Europe and America. Could this image be a commentary on social class or political power? The man's simple cap could be a clue. Understanding this print means digging into the visual culture of the late 1700s. By looking at other prints, written accounts, and social histories, we can start to understand the public role of images like this one.