Well Neighbour-- What's the News- c. 1795

Robert Dighton, a British artist known for his caricatures, created this hand-colored print, "Well Neighbour-- What's the News-," sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. During this period, caricature gained popularity as a means of social and political commentary. Dighton’s print invites us to consider the era’s obsession with gossip and the dissemination of news, reflecting the anxieties and social dynamics of Georgian England. The figure’s exaggerated features and inquisitive expression seem to capture a stereotype of the prying neighbor, embodying a culture of surveillance and social scrutiny. What is he trimming, and whom might he be trimming it for? In a society where information was power, prints like these offered a satirical glimpse into everyday life, reflecting both the humor and the underlying tensions of a rapidly changing world. Consider how the desire for news and social connection continues to shape our interactions today.