Bathing Machines (An Excursion to Brighthelmstone)

This lively etching captures a bustling scene on the beach at Brighthelmstone, a popular English seaside resort now known as Brighton. At its center are the peculiar 'bathing machines,' horse-drawn wooden huts that allowed bathers to enter the sea discreetly, a practice reflecting the era's strict social customs. The print vividly depicts the excitement and novelty of a day trip to the coast in the late 18th century. You can almost feel the salty air and hear the chatter of the vacationers. The artist, Samuel Robinson, emphasizes the theatricality of the experience, with figures arranged in various states of undress and anticipation, creating a humorous commentary on the emerging culture of leisure and health tourism.