Voorbijgangers verrast door een windvlaag voor de etalage van Carington Bowles te Londen 1783 - 1786

This print, made by an anonymous artist, depicts a windy day outside Carington Bowles' print shop in London. The image creates meaning through the chaos of the wind, disrupting the order of society. We see wigs flying off, dresses being blown open, and a general sense of disarray among the figures. Prints like these were popular in 18th-century London. They served as a form of social commentary, often poking fun at the latest fashions or social trends. The presence of the print shop in the background is also significant. Print shops played a crucial role in disseminating images and ideas, helping to shape public opinion and taste. To understand this print better, we can look at period newspapers, fashion plates, and social histories of London. By examining these sources, we can gain insight into the ways in which art reflected and commented on the social and political life of its time. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.