Illustration design for "The Economy of Human Life" 1834

Frank Howard created this illustration design for "The Economy of Human Life" sometime during his career, which spanned much of the 19th century. The print, now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures a scene laden with societal expectations of gendered behavior and class distinctions. We see a woman kneeling in what appears to be prayer, her posture suggesting supplication or grief, while a man stands tall, seemingly detached, with his arms crossed. In the context of 19th-century England, such imagery speaks volumes about the expected emotional roles of men and women. The man is stoic, embodying the patriarchal ideal of emotional control, while the woman gives way to visible emotion. The prostrate figure may suggest the impact of economic forces which create differing responses rooted in gender. Howard's illustration provides insight into the period's social values. The artist invites us to consider the ways in which personal grief is expressed and constrained by social norms.