Six Stages of Mending a Face

Thomas Rowlandson’s Six Stages of Mending a Face, a single-issue comic from the Fores imprint in 1792, offers a satirical, sequential look at the absurdities of cosmetic repair. As both writer and artist, Rowlandson brings his signature caricature style to this standalone visual narrative, capturing a moment in Georgian-era humor with timeless, grotesque charm. Its enduring presence in print since the 18th century speaks to its sharp, observational wit and its place as an early example of sequential art.