Hobbies or Attitude is Everything, Dedicated with permission to all Dandy Horsemen Possibly 1819

Editor: Here we have "Hobbies or Attitude is Everything, Dedicated with permission to all Dandy Horsemen," possibly from 1819, an etching by Thomas Tegg. I have to say, the first thing that strikes me is the sheer chaotic energy! Everyone looks like they’re about to fall off these early bicycles. What do you make of it? Curator: Oh, isn't it brilliant? A glorious snapshot of a very specific cultural moment – the craze for the 'Dandy Horse'. It was quite the fad amongst the fashionable set. Tegg's captured not just the 'hobby' but the 'attitude,' you see? These aren't just chaps on contraptions; they’re making a statement. Note the contrast – one guy embracing it, another petrified. Does that speak to you? Editor: Absolutely! It's almost a parody of enthusiasm. And the title feels incredibly ironic now. Was it meant to be humorous? Curator: Indubitably. Think of it as a social commentary served with a wink. Tegg was no stranger to lampooning the foibles of the well-to-do. And 'Dandy Horsemen'! A perfect label for the chaps striving for a certain… je ne sais quoi, even if it means imminent face-planting. Editor: So, beyond the humour, what’s Tegg really getting at? Curator: Perhaps it's a gentle poke at the ephemeral nature of trends. How quickly something novel becomes commonplace, or even ridiculous. The ‘attitude’ is all that matters in the fleeting moment. A fleeting moment beautifully captured, I must say. It really does give one pause to consider the human condition, doesn't it? Editor: It does. I’ll definitely think twice about my own 'dandy horse' pursuits now. Thanks for shedding light on it! Curator: My absolute pleasure. Isn't it wonderful how a little historical context can completely transform our perspective?