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

Samuel Ireland’s 1788 satirical print "Some of the Principal Inhabitants of the Moon..." humorously depicts fantastical figures on the moon, as if observed through a telescope. The print was likely inspired by the scientific discoveries of the time and satirizes contemporary beliefs about lunar inhabitants. The image presents a comical take on lunar exploration, inviting viewers to consider the potential for the unknown. This print, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a valuable piece of social history, offering insight into 18th-century scientific and cultural discourse.