Sutton (An Excursion to Brighthelmstone)

In this humorous etching and aquatint from 1790, a group of travelers struggles with a broken-down carriage on a country road. The scene unfolds with a sense of chaotic energy, as horses rear and figures scramble. A woman in a wide-brimmed hat, perhaps the central figure, appears flustered, while others attempt to manage the situation with varying degrees of success. The title, "Sutton (An Excursion to Brighthelmstone)," suggests a journey to the popular seaside resort of Brighton (then Brighthelmstone), a common leisure activity for the fashionable set in late 18th-century England. This print captures a moment of unforeseen trouble, contrasting the idealized image of a pleasant excursion with the reality of travel's inconveniences. The artist, Samuel Robinson, uses the etching and aquatint technique to create rich tonal variations, giving depth and atmosphere to the rural landscape and the dramatic incident.