Modern Elegance, a Portrait 1795

"Modern Elegance, a Portrait" is a satirical hand-colored etching by British artist James Gillray, created in 1795. The work depicts a woman in a lavishly decorated room, seated in an elaborate chair. Her extravagant attire and pose are exaggerated, reflecting Gillray's sharp wit and critique of the excessive fashion trends of the time. The artwork is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York City. The image is often considered a biting social commentary on the superficiality of the upper class during the late 18th century.