Waiting on Sir Ed. Hales at St Stephens. Caricature 1775

Curator: John Flaxman, born in 1755, created this etching titled "Waiting on Sir Ed. Hales at St Stephens. Caricature," currently held at the Tate. Editor: It has an unfinished quality, doesn't it? As if capturing a fleeting moment, but also rough around the edges. Curator: Flaxman, known for his neoclassical style, often used caricature to satirize social and political figures. The symbols here are quite telling, perhaps hinting at impatience or boredom. Editor: I find it interesting how the etching technique, with its emphasis on line, reveals the physical labor involved in its production. Curator: The image itself becomes a symbol then, revealing not just a scene but also the process of its creation. The figures are almost archetypes, aren’t they? Each embodies a particular type within this waiting game. Editor: Perhaps, but it also underscores the economic realities of printmaking in that period – quickly produced for a wider audience. Curator: It really makes you wonder about the power structures at play, doesn't it? Both in the scene and in the act of representing it. Editor: Exactly. I'm glad we took the time to examine the different layers present in this piece. Curator: Me too! It's a powerful reflection on patience, or lack thereof.