The Departure

Art Historical Context

Step into the lively world of 18th-century British satire with *The Departure*, a hand-colored etching published on April 29, 1784. Created byaver William Humphrey in collaboration with caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson and featuring prominent Whig politician Charles James Fox alongside the glamorous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, this print exemplifies the era's sharp political commentary. Rowlandson's exaggerated style captures the absurdity of public figures, using donkeys as symbols of folly or stubborn opposition, poking fun at the turbulent politics following the American Revolutionary War. Measuring about 9 5/8 × 13 11/16 inches on the plate, the hand-coloring adds vibrant whimsy to its biting critique, a technique that made such affordable prints hugely popular among London's middle classes. Etchings like this allowed artists to disseminate gossip and dissent quickly, influencing public opinion on Fox's radical reforms and Georgiana's influential campaigning—scandals that fueled endless caricatures. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, *The Departure* highlights how satire bridged art and activism, offering a window into Georgian society's wit and unrest. A delightful reminder of how humor has long shaped democracy!