April / Avril 1776 - 1786

This print by Richard Earlom presents a fashionably dressed woman as an allegory for April. Made in England in the late 18th century, it's a fine example of how art was entwined with social status and institutional power. The woman’s elaborate clothing and leisurely activity reflect the concerns of the privileged classes during this era. Her elegant attire, coiffure and the manicured garden are visual markers of wealth and leisure. Moreover, this image was produced and sold through established commercial networks. Prints like these were not merely decorative; they played a role in circulating and reinforcing ideas about beauty, class, and social order. To truly understand this image, we need to research the history of fashion, the economics of printmaking, and the social values of 18th-century England. Art is always contingent on its context, and historical study helps us to appreciate its complex meanings.