The CITIZEN RETIRED, or BUSINESS at an END till MONDAY.

Date1772

Publisher Carington Bowles (1724 - 1793)

MediumMezzotint engraving on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 15 1/4 × 9 3/4in. (38.7 × 24.8cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1952-92

DescriptionLower margin reads: "The CITIZEN RETIRED, or BUSINESS at an END till MONDAY./Printed for Carington Bowles, Map & Printseller, N.o 69 in St Pauls Church Yard, London. Publish'd as the Act directs July 2.d 1772."
Label TextThis scene depicts a man seated on an upholstered backstool with a woman sitting on his lap. His caress and her gesture, pointing to the bed, suggests that she may be his mistress. This print illustrates hairstyles and clothing that were fashionable in the 1770s. Prints such as this are important as well for illustrating household furnishings, in this case, the bed and the manner in which it was made, the shape of the wine glass and decanter, and the backstool, a form of seating furniture popular during the period.