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Regency gentleman falling over a gate while two women watch
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Regency gentleman falling over a gate while two women watch
Regency gentleman falling over a gate while two women watch. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by John Augustus Atkinson from Illustrations of the Miseries of Human Life, William Miller, London, 1807
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Regency Elegance Turns to Chaos: A Humorous Vignette from the Illustrations of the Miseries of Human Life This hand-colored copperplate engraving, titled "Johnny Newcome, or, The Sailor's First Berth," is an amusing depiction of a Regency gentleman's misadventure, taken from William Miller's publication, "Illustrations of the Miseries of Human Life," published in London in 1807. The image, created by the skilled hand of John Augustus Atkinson, captures the moment of comic relief as a dapper Regency gentleman, dressed in the uniform of a midshipman, topples over a gate while two women watch in astonishment. The scene unfolds in a colonial setting, with the backdrop of a naval ship, HMS Victory, anchored in the harbor. The gentleman, identified as Johnny Newcome, appears to be under the influence of an intoxicant, possibly rum or grog, as evidenced by the bottle clutched in his hand. His disheveled appearance and unsteady gait suggest that he has had one too many toasts in the mess or cockpit. Surrounded by nautical paraphernalia, such as a sextant, pistol, musket, and hook, Johnny's uniform is adorned with the insignia of the Royal Navy's Indefatigables. The women, dressed in the height of Regency fashion, seem alarmed by the scene unfolding before them. One woman reaches out to steady the gate, while the other looks on in disbelief. The title of the engraving alludes to the traditional initiation rites for new sailors, which often involved a series of humiliating tasks and pranks. This amusing vignette serves as a reminder of the contrasting worlds of Regency elegance and the harsh realities of life at sea during the Napoleonic Wars. The image invites us to reflect on the human condition, with its inherent joys and miseries, and the unexpected twists and turns that life can take.
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