The Mansion House Monitor. An Accusing Ghost at a Dinner Table 

Editor: Here we have Thomas Rowlandson’s “The Mansion House Monitor. An Accusing Ghost at a Dinner Table.” It's a small watercolor work with a rather chaotic scene. What strikes me most is the political commentary – a ghost disrupting what seems to be a formal dinner. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's fascinating how Rowlandson uses caricature to critique the political elite. The ghost likely represents public opinion or perhaps a past misdeed coming back to haunt them. Notice how the figures at the table react with shock and fear, revealing their unease. How might this image reflect the public's perception of those in power during that time? Editor: It’s like he’s saying their luxurious lives are built on something spectral, a guilt they can’t escape. Curator: Precisely. It highlights the public role of art as a tool for social commentary and the politics of imagery during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Thank you for sharing your impressions. Editor: Thanks, I learned a lot about political criticism and Rowlandson’s art.