The new bonnet

In the present drawing Rowlandson returns to a favourite subject, that of an older husband enraged by his beautiful but profligate young wife. Rowlandson, an inveterate social commentator, was particularly fascinated by this dynamic, and it was one he depicted frequently. In the present drawing the young wife, wearing an elaborate bonnet, is seated at a small table, an expression of impassive amusement on her face, whilst her husband, holding a milliner's bill, berates her for her spending. The bristling cat at his feet reflects his anger. In the background a maid, also smirking, holds the new bonnet which has caused the disagreement. The composition recalls the conversation pieces of William Hogarth (1697-1764) in the poses of the figures and their genteel setting. By placing the smirking wife and maid on the left of the sheet, and the fury of the husband and cat on the right, Rowlandson creates a strong sense of contrast which adds to the comic effect. His remarkable facility as a draughtsman is evident in the contrast between the delicate beauty of the seated young wife, and the contorted anger in the face of her standing husband.