1-192-377 - © London Museum/Heritage-Images

Taste in High Life, 18th century. A man and woman politely bow and curtsey before each other, dressed in what they believe is the height of fashion. The man holds the saucer to the teacup the woman is daintily holding. On the left a woman indulgently tickles the chin of a black servant who has been dressed in an elaborate costume. in the foreground a monkey in costume reads from a list using a monocle. On the wall is a picture with a woman posing on a pedestal with the back of her skirt missing. Hogarth is commenting on the affected manners adopted by some people, and their taste; or lack of it.