Two Women (One on Horseback) in Late 18th Century Dress n.d.

William Edward Frost made this watercolour sketch, "Two Women (One on Horseback) in Late 18th Century Dress," at an unknown date. It evokes the social world of late 18th-century Europe, where fashion and equestrian pursuits signaled aristocratic status. The visual codes here are clear: the elaborate gowns, feathered hat, and horseback riding were all cultural references to wealth and leisure. This was a time of rigid social hierarchies, and art often served to reinforce those distinctions, subtly or overtly. The sketch captures a moment of interaction, perhaps suggesting a shared social standing or aspiration. Understanding art like this demands that we research the institutions and customs of its time. What were the politics of fashion? How did visual representation shape social identity? The answers to these questions allow us to understand the role of art as something deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.