Pretentious Collection

Evening, plate three from The Four Times of the Day, May 1738. Creator: Bernard Baron
Evening, plate three from The Four Times of the Day, May 1738

Dandies at Tea, 1818. Creator: Isaac Robert Cruikshank
Dandies at Tea, 1818

Men and women pretending to be posh in Blackpool (colour litho)
5999979 Men and women pretending to be posh in Blackpool (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Men and women pretending to be posh in Blackpool)

Caricature of a dandy (litho)
3639172 Caricature of a dandy (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Caricature of a dandy.); Look and Learn / Valerie Jackson Harris Collection

A Rakes Progress II: The Rakes Levee, 1733 (oil on canvas)
SJS72327 A Rakes Progress II: The Rakes Levee, 1733 (oil on canvas) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); 62.2x75 cm; Courtesy of the Trustees of Sir John Soanes Museum

Low key portrait of a woman in a fur trimmed coat and large hat, Victorian or Edwardian era

Leo is the fifth astrological sign of the Zodiac. Its symbol is the lion

Some of the other guests seemed to get the feeling that Claude was flaunting his philosophy
KW272909 Some of the other guests seemed to get the feeling that Claude was flaunting his philosophy. illustration from But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes by Anita Loos

So he ended up by taking her to an artistic tea room
KW272906 So he ended up by taking her to an artistic tea room. illustration from But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes by Anita Loos, published in 1928 (litho) by Barton

The famous Russell Bros. in the pretentious oddity, Maids to order by Frank Dumont and Wm. F. Carrol. Date c1898

Musical Terms Up To Date - Pianissimo - Very Soft Two feeble characters at the seaside, not quite sure what to do when their attention is caught by a pretty passing lady... Date: circa 1903

Beach Couple
A young man does his exercises on the beach while his girlfriend plays in the surf behind him. Date: 1930s

Swank - postcard by Lawson Wood
Two young lads show off! Sadly their attempts to be grand and sopisticated have resulted in feeling rather ill...!

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

In the vibrant seaside town of Blackpool, men and women don their finest attire, pretending to be posh amidst the lively atmosphere. With a touch of humor captured in a color lithograph, this scene reminds us that appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Traveling back in time to 1735, an engraving titled "A Rakes Progress, Plate 2" unveils a world where pretentiousness knows no bounds. The first state of this artwork depicts individuals striving for social status through extravagant displays and lavish lifestyles. A caricature of a dandy further emphasizes the theme of pretentiousness. Through clever use of lithography, this image mocks those who go to great lengths to project an air of superiority while often lacking substance beneath their facade. Moving from prints to oil on canvas, "A Rakes Progress II: The Rakes Levee" transports us into the opulent world inhabited by those seeking recognition and admiration. This painting serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences that come with excessive vanity and pretension. In contrast to these grandiose depictions is a low-key portrait capturing Victorian or Edwardian elegance. A woman adorned in fur-trimmed coat and large hat exudes sophistication without resorting to ostentation—a reminder that true style lies not in flamboyance but in understated grace. Astrologically speaking, Leo—the fifth sign of the Zodiac—symbolizes confidence and self-assuredness. However, even within this celestial realm exists individuals who adopt pretentious airs as they bask in their perceived greatness. The satirical print "Surrounded by Artists and Professors" from "A Rakes Progress" series showcases how some use association with intellectuals as a means to elevate themselves socially—an amusing commentary on intellectual snobbery disguised as refinement. Claude's attempt at flaunting his philosophy becomes evident when he takes his companion to an artistic tea room.