A Change in the Petticoats, or the Years 1780 &1817
This fashion satire responds to the short skirts that became fashionable in London around 1817. At left, a mature woman represents the modes of yore in an enormous hooped petticoat, a long pointed stomacher, and a calash hood worn over a large plain cap. She is amazed by a modern young woman who adopts a fashionable stooped posture (also seen in Heath's "Belle's and Beaus, or a Scene in Hyde Park," 1817 (1970.541.148)). Bared breasts and shoulders are accentuated by a high waisted dress with large bishop sleeves. Below, a projecting skirt that ends above the knees and exposes flat slippers fastened with ribbons. On the head, a bonnet with a scooped brim and cylindrical crown is trimmed with flowers and feathers.
Artwork Details
- Title: A Change in the Petticoats, or the Years 1780 &1817
- Artist: Attributed to William Heath ('Paul Pry') (British, Northumbria 1794/95–1840 Hampstead)
- Publisher: Thomas Tegg (British, London 1776–1846 London)
- Date: 1817
- Medium: Hand-colored etching
- Dimensions: Image: 7 3/4 × 12 3/16 in. (19.7 × 31 cm)
Sheet: 9 5/16 × 13 7/8 in. (23.7 × 35.3 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Jill Spalding, 2022
- Object Number: 2022.309.14
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
William Heath ('Paul Pry')
S. Gans
1830
William Heath ('Paul Pry')
Thomas McLean
1827–29
Multiple artists/makers
1827–29
William Heath ('Paul Pry')
Thomas McLean
1828–29
William Heath ('Paul Pry')
Thomas McLean
1828
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.