PM
Phil McMullen
@philmcm.bsky.social
Writer, editor, printer & publisher at the Ptolemaic Press (a letterpress operation) in Wiltshire. Experienced gardener, and a retiring town planner.
85 followers123 following20 posts
It’s a gorgeous image, but without giving too much away (since I assume it’s part of your talk!) what are the clues to look out for in this image that to a trained eye tell you these were sex workers as opposed to two finely dressed ladies?
In this instance the clue might be in the title and location. Bagnigge Wells got a bad reputation towards the end and this is not the only print that shows prostitutes. There are signs, and even sumptuary laws that designate certain modes of dress, but part of that was knowing someone...
Lipstick and rouge.
PM
Phil McMullen
@philmcm.bsky.social
Writer, editor, printer & publisher at the Ptolemaic Press (a letterpress operation) in Wiltshire. Experienced gardener, and a retiring town planner.
85 followers123 following20 posts