The Beau Monde: Our modern ladies heads are fill'd with Bows
This fashion satire makes fun of the huge hats popular in London in 1829, showing a lady whose oversized accessory is decorated not with bows but beaus--many small male figures who sport top hats or plumed military helmets. Three peer over the brim and two reach down imploringly towards the lady whose favors they seek. Around this time, the artist stopped signing his prints with the small figure of Paul Pry and resumed adding his name to the lower margin–hoping to thus discourage counterfeiters who had responded to the popularity of his fashion satires with man imitations.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Beau Monde: Our modern ladies heads are fill'd with Bows
- Artist: William Heath ('Paul Pry') (British, Northumbria 1794/95–1840 Hampstead)
- Publisher: Thomas McLean (British, 1788–1875)
- Date: July 6, 1829
- Medium: Hand-colored etching
- Dimensions: Plate: 14 7/16 × 10 1/16 in. (36.7 × 25.5 cm)
Sheet: 16 5/16 × 11 1/8 in. (41.4 × 28.2 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Jill Spalding, 2022
- Object Number: 2022.309.22
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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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
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