Some of the Principal Inhabitants of the Moon, as They Were Perfectly Discovered by a Telescope... 1788

Samuel Ireland created this etching titled "Some of the Principal Inhabitants of the Moon" in 1788. The print satirizes societal figures through the guise of lunar inhabitants, reflecting the 18th-century fascination with astronomy and exploration, but also using it as a lens to critique earthly behaviors. Here, Ireland interweaves social commentary with popular scientific interest. The "lunar inhabitants" are depicted in ways that echo human royalty, clergy, and gentry, complete with their accoutrements of power and status. By placing them on the moon, Ireland distances and disguises his critique, yet the parallels to British society are unmistakable. "Exactly Engraved from the Objects, whereby y' Curious may Guess at their Religion Manner," as the print states, suggests a playful yet pointed commentary on human customs and hierarchies. Ireland uses humor to expose the absurdities of human social structures. The print invites us to reflect on how power, religion, and social status are constructed, both on Earth and, imaginatively, on the moon. It's a lighthearted jab, but one that encourages us to consider the values and behaviors we project onto the cosmos.