Young ladies., Isaac Cruikshank, 1795

Three elderly hags are dressed as young girls, and leeringly imitate a girlish simper. One (perhaps the schoolmistress) sits on a chair under a tree (right) reading to the others, from 'juvenel [sic] a novel'. In her left hand is another book, 'an ode to beauty'. Beside her sits a dog clipped in the french manner. The others stand facing her, one closing her eyes and clasping her hands, the other, who holds a fan, leers at her companion. These two wear nosegays. All have high-waisted dress with sashes. The reader wears a straw hat tied on with a scarf. Behind her is a tree on whose trunk letters are carved: 'w' and 'i c' (for the artists). In the background (left) is the corner of a house inscribed 'young ladies genteely boarded & educated' by a bull. 7 june 1795 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1795. Dimensions: Height: 343 mm; Width: 269 mm. Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. Young ladies. (BM 1876,1014.22)