Title Page 1 - 1807

George Moutard Woodward created this hand-colored etching titled "Title Page" in the late 18th or early 19th century. This was a period of immense social and political change. Woodward's caricatures were part of a broader cultural trend of social satire that both reflected and shaped public opinion. Look closely and you’ll see how Woodward uses caricature not just as a form of entertainment, but as a lens through which to examine societal norms and power structures. Notice how gender is performed: The image features exaggerated depictions of men and women, reflecting and reinforcing gender stereotypes of the time. How might this playful yet pointed critique reveal anxieties about shifting roles and identities during a period of social upheaval? These exaggerated features and comical situations invite us to reflect on our own biases and assumptions. In this way, Woodward's "Title Page" compels us to ask critical questions about the society it represents.