First and Second Floor Possibly 1791

Thomas Rowlandson created this print, "First and Second Floor," using etching and aquatint, processes which rely on acid to bite into a metal plate. The subtle gradations of tone, which give the image such depth, were achieved through careful manipulation of the plate during the aquatint process. Look closely, and you'll notice how Rowlandson used line and tone to differentiate between the women on the two floors. On the second floor, we see two younger working-class women. The looseness of the etching here gives a sense of their unrefined energy. By contrast, on the first floor, the two fashionable women appear in more detailed, delicate lines, emphasizing their status. The print medium itself speaks to social context, being well suited to satire distributed to a wide audience. Rowlandson critiques social hierarchies, contrasting the lives of these women. He captures a moment in time, where fashion, class, and the very process of printmaking intersect. Understanding the materials and processes behind this work allows us to see it not just as an image, but as a social commentary embedded in its own making.