Dressing for a Birthday
A fat and ugly older woman, and a young and pretty one are preparing for a royal birthday celebration at St. James's Palace. A maid places a huge wig adorned with feathers and roses on the bald head of the elderly lady who holds a bouquet and admires herself in a mirror held by a black page who turns to look at a dog. The young woman seated at right is having her hair done by a friseur. A companion print to "Dressing for a Masquerade."
Artwork Details
- Title: Dressing for a Birthday
- Artist: Thomas Rowlandson (British, London 1757–1827 London)
- Publisher: S. W. Fores (London)
- Date: [1790] reissue April 1, 1796
- Medium: Hand-colored etching and aquatint
- Dimensions: Sheet: 14 9/16 × 19 15/16 in. (37 × 50.7 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
- Object Number: 59.533.345
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Thomas Rowlandson
1780–1827
Thomas Rowlandson
1780–1827
Thomas Rowlandson
1780–1827
Multiple artists/makers
January 1794
Thomas Rowlandson
late 18th–early 19th century
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