Known Characters in a Chop House 1800 - 1820

Editor: Here we have an aquatint, etching and drawing print entitled "Known Characters in a Chop House," created anonymously sometime between 1800 and 1820. It’s currently residing here at the Met. There's something humorous, almost satirical, about these gentlemen gathered in what seems like a public dining space. What's your read on this scene? Curator: This print offers a glimpse into the social landscape of early 19th century England. Chop houses were sites of commerce and social exchange, especially for men. But consider the title "Known Characters..." What does it imply about the depiction of these men? Editor: Maybe they're public figures? Or perhaps caricatures of recognizable types in society? Curator: Precisely. Prints like these were often vehicles for social commentary. Consider the man reading the news, the gentleman with a dog using another dog as a footrest, the corpulent diner... these details speak to class distinctions and societal roles being performed – and perhaps parodied – in the public sphere. Where would prints like these circulate, do you think, and what function did they serve in a society grappling with political and social change? Editor: So, this image isn't just about a group of people eating; it’s also a statement, a commentary on the social and political currents of the time, circulated in the form of a printed object for wide consumption. They're acting like figures in a theater play. Fascinating! I will not think about prints as being just pictures ever again. Curator: Exactly! It highlights how even seemingly mundane scenes were deeply embedded in the cultural fabric, constantly negotiating social norms through art and imagery in public spheres.