Songs: "While happy in my Native Land..." 1822

"Songs: "While happy in my Native Land...", is a satirical etching by British artist Henry Thomas Alken created in 1822. The work depicts four scenes, each accompanied by a song title and a humorous illustration. Alken's sharp wit is evident in his caricatured figures, which represent various social types and their perceived eccentricities. The etchings, often depicting everyday life, are a reminder of Alken's popularity as a social commentator. The composition uses a grid format, with each scene occupying a square space, making for easy reading. The image is a fine example of Alken's work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.