The Supplemental Magazine 1786

Thomas Rowlandson captured this scene, with etching and aquatint, depicting the feverish world of fashion. Here, the dominant symbol is the hat itself. Towering headwear bedecked with plumes and ribbons. Hats have been a signal of status, but here, Rowlandson exaggerates them to satirize the excesses of fashion. Observe how the hat evolves across centuries: from a symbol of solemn authority in portraits of state, to an outrageous display of wealth and frivolity as seen here. The collective mania for fashionable display echoes primal urges for recognition. It’s a phenomenon that transcends time, resurfacing in new guises, each era finding its own way to peacock and preen. The cycle continues, illustrating our relentless pursuit of status.