The Lost Receipt c. 1815 - 1819

Sir David Wilkie created this print, ‘The Lost Receipt,’ using etching techniques. The scene captures a moment of middle-class domestic life, likely in Britain, sometime in the early 19th century. We see figures gathered around a table, perhaps in a state of mild consternation, seemingly searching for something important. Wilkie was known for his detailed depictions of everyday life, and this print reflects a growing interest in the social realities of the time. The emphasis on the 'lost receipt' subtly comments on the rising importance of financial transactions and the anxieties they could produce in a rapidly changing economy. The image creates meaning through the arrangement of figures and objects, each contributing to the narrative. Art historians can look to period documents, such as household accounts and social commentaries, to better understand the cultural significance of such scenes. The value of this etching lies in its ability to open a window onto the daily concerns of a bygone era, and is a product of specific social and institutional conditions.