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The Finishing Touch, pub. 1791 (hand colured engraving)
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The Finishing Touch, pub. 1791 (hand colured engraving)
3025372 The Finishing Touch, pub. 1791 (hand colured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sarah Archer (nee West), Lady Archer (1741-1801), Wife of Whig politician Andrew, 2nd Lord Archer (1736-78)); The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright
Media ID 23440388
© The Stapleton Collection / Bridgeman Images
Boudoir Cosmetics Dressing Table Extravagant Face Paint Feather Finery Glasses Hanoverian Hook Nose Open Window Plume Reflection Rouge Social Satire Spectacles Stool Toilette Ugly Vain Vanity Blusher
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The Finishing Touch
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is a captivating hand-colored engraving from 1791, created by the talented artist James Gillray. This exquisite print captures an interior scene that reflects the extravagant and sometimes comical nature of Georgian society. In this satirical caricature, we see Lady Archer, also known as Sarah Archer (nee West), wife of Whig politician Andrew, 2nd Lord Archer. Seated at her dressing table in her boudoir, Lady Archer indulges in her vanity with great gusto. Adorned with feathers and wearing spectacles to aid her vision, she meticulously applies blusher and face paint while gazing into a make-up mirror. Lady Archer's exaggerated features are highlighted through Gillray's masterful use of detail; her hook nose adds to the overall satirical tone of the piece. The open window reveals a passing carriage outside, reminding us that even within the confines of her luxurious surroundings, Lady Archer remains acutely aware of societal expectations and fashion trends. This engraving serves as both social commentary and a playful critique on female beauty rituals during this era. It showcases not only the obsession with cosmetics but also highlights how fashion can be used as a tool for self-expression or conformity. Gillray's "The Finishing Touch" is an elegant portrayal of elegance intertwined with humor—a testament to his exceptional talent as one of history's most renowned cartoonists.
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