A LADY AND HER BILLS

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library

A LADY AND HER BILLS

A dejected lady seeks comfort in coffee as she contemplates bills for dresses, shawls, carpets, lingerie, flowers and ribbons Date: circa 1815

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 20145651

© Bubblepunk

1815 Bills Carpets Coffee Comfort Contemplates Dejected Dresses Invoices Lingerie Money Pillows Receipts Regency Ribbons Seeks Shawls Sofa Tassels Furniture

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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image from circa 1815, titled 'A Lady and Her Bills,' captures the essence of the Regency era's complex relationship with consumer culture. The dejected lady, dressed in the height of fashionable Empire style, sits on a plush sofa adorned with tassels and pillows, her expression a mixture of sadness and contemplation. Surrounding her are an array of bills, receipts, invoices, and trade documents, detailing the expenses for dresses, shawls, carpets, lingerie, flowers, and ribbons. The extravagant items, symbols of the latest Regency trends, are a stark contrast to the economic reality of the time. The Regency period, known for its opulence and excess, saw a burgeoning consumer society. Women, in particular, were expected to maintain a certain standard of elegance and refinement, leading to a thriving trade in fashionable goods. However, the cost of living up to these expectations was high, and many women, like the one in this print, found themselves burdened by mounting debts. As she cradles a cup of coffee, the lady seems to be seeking solace in the simple pleasure of the moment, a brief reprieve from the financial pressures that weigh heavily upon her. The coffee, a common beverage during this time, was believed to provide comfort and energy, making it an appropriate companion for those facing the challenges of daily life. This poignant image offers a glimpse into the lives of women during the Regency era, highlighting the tension between the desire for material possessions and the financial realities of maintaining them. It serves as a reminder of the enduring human struggle to balance desire and necessity, a struggle that continues to resonate with us today.

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