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Six Stages of Mending a Face, 1792 (etching)
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Six Stages of Mending a Face, 1792 (etching)
XJF869675 Six Stages of Mending a Face, 1792 (etching) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827); Private Collection; (add.info.: published by S. W. Fores 1792. The head and shoulders of Lady Archer at different stages of her toilet. In the first (right), wearing a night-cap, with unsightly pendent breasts, she looks up to the left, tears falling from an empty eye-socket, her gaping mouth showing toothless jaws. In the next she fits in an eye, in the third she places a wig on her head, in the fourth (below on the right) she fits in a set of false teeth; in the next she applies rouge to her cheeks with a hares foot, holding a mirror. In the last (left) she appears a pretty young woman, holding a mask in her hand. In the last two stages her arms, which were skinny and muscular, have become smooth and rounded and her breasts have been covered with the gauze drapery then fashionable. ); English, out of copyright
Media ID 12941227
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Artificial Bald Breasts Dressing False Teeth Getting Ready Hand Mirror Illusion Make Up Mask Mirror Night Cap Rouge Slap Stages Toilet Wigs Eye Socket Pendent Pendulous
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The etching "Six Stages of Mending a Face, 1792" by Thomas Rowlandson offers a satirical glimpse into the world of beauty and vanity in the late 18th century. The print depicts Lady Archer's transformation from a disheveled and aging woman to an attractive young lady through various stages of her toilet. In the first stage, Lady Archer is shown wearing a night-cap with unsightly pendent breasts, tears streaming down from her empty eye-socket. However, as we progress through the stages, we witness her gradual metamorphosis. She fits in an artificial eye, places a wig on her bald head, inserts false teeth into her toothless jaws, and applies rouge to her cheeks using a hares foot while holding up a mirror. By the final stage on the left side of the print, Lady Archer has completely transformed herself into a pretty young woman. Her arms have become smooth and rounded while her pendulous breasts are now covered with fashionable gauze drapery. Holding a mask in one hand symbolizes both the illusion she has created and perhaps also hints at hiding behind societal expectations. Rowlandson's etching serves as social commentary on society's obsession with appearance and its willingness to go to great lengths to achieve beauty standards. It reminds us that even centuries ago people were preoccupied with their physical appearance and willing to undergo drastic measures for self-improvement.
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