The Old Woman's Complaint; or The Greek Alphabet 1809

Editor: This is "The Old Woman's Complaint; or The Greek Alphabet" by Thomas Rowlandson. It seems to be an etching. I find the scene really intriguing, especially the way the figures are rendered. What's your take on this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider how Rowlandson's print engages with the labor of knowledge production. The old woman’s complaint, juxtaposed with the boys reciting their Greek alphabet, highlights a class disparity. The print itself becomes a commodity, consumed and circulated within a specific social context. How does the materiality of the print itself – the etching technique, the paper, the ink – contribute to its meaning? Editor: That's an angle I hadn't considered! It makes me think about who could afford to purchase and view this print at the time. Curator: Exactly! Considering the economic realities of Rowlandson's era, we can appreciate how the print acts as both a mirror and a critique of its society. Editor: Thanks, I'll definitely look at prints differently now.