Theatrical Pleasures, Plate 5: Feasting in the Saloon 1830 - 1840

Theodore Lane created this print, titled "Feasting in the Saloon," in the early 19th century using etching and hand-coloring. These techniques, while established, were increasingly used for mass production. Note how the etching defines the figures, with their exaggerated expressions and postures, while the added colors bring a sense of vibrancy to the scene. The print’s flat, graphic style speaks to its intended function: widespread distribution and consumption. The artist's labor is evident in the detailed lines of the etching and the careful application of color. The print served as a commodity, reflecting the growing commercialization of art in the early 1800s. Lane’s choice of printmaking suggests an interest in reaching a broad audience, rather than catering solely to elite tastes. The subject matter—the raucous energy of a social gathering—resonates with the print's mode of production. Appreciating the material choices and the processes involved allows us to see this print not just as an image, but as a product of its time, enmeshed in the social and economic changes of the early 19th century.