From the palette - Bath - the internet of the 1700s for artists

Nowadays artists who want to get their name out to the public quickly often turn to the Internet. But what did they do before modern technology? In 1700s England, the ideal place for an unknown but gifted artist to win fame and fortune was in the town of Bath. Bath was especially favorable to portrait painters, because this popular winter resort attracted the wealthy who came to "take the waters." Artists went to Bath in hopes of getting commissions from titled aristocrats, which was an excellent way to gain instant fame.Bath was not the best location for a resort. The ancient city, founded by the Romans, was squashed into the narrow valley of the river Avon, and its climate was damp and chilly. However, it boasted a group of hot springs (rare in England) that gave half a million gallons a day of slightly salty, supposedly healing water at a temperature of 120F, which is just about as hot as most people can stand to bathe in.In the 1600s, Bath was already a popular gathering place, with people coming to drink and bathe in the "healing waters," which were reputed to cure everything from leprosy to arthritis. Unfortunately, public hygiene at that time was not good. One horrified gentleman wrote, "The Baths were like so many bear gardens, and modesty was entirely shut out of them; people of both sexes bathing day and night naked; and dogs, cats, pigs and even human creatures were hurled into the water while people were bathing in it."By the late 1700s Bath had been cleaned up and turned into a sparkling, fun resort. It was a tremendously fashionable place for the wealthy to gather. As usual during that century, people followed a strict daily ritual. It started at 6 a.m., when everyone who was anyone rose and gathered at the hot baths (like shallow swimming pools) where they soaked, packed like sardines, for a couple of hours.While bathing in the hot springs, women wore garments of canvas like material that didn't cling to the body when wet. Men bathed fully clothed and usually wore their three-cornered hats. The sexes were supposed to bathe separately, but Daniel Defoe described one of the most fashionable baths thusly: "The place being but narrow, they converse freely…make vows and sometimes love." Tobias Smollett told of "spectators in the galleries pleasing their roving fancies with bodies, faces, eyes, etc. In one corner stood an old lecher no less than 3 score years and 10 making love to a young lady not exceeding 14."Following the ritual bath, everyone went to the Pump Room. There they were expected to drink three glasses of supposedly health-giving mineral water from the springs. Again, this was an excuse for socializing and heavy flirtation. Gossip at the Pump Room was famous all over England for its scandal and malice. Meanwhile, artists had the opportunity, during conversation, to solicit painting commissions.The next step was breakfast, followed by holy services (open only to people of quality) in Bath's ancient and beautiful abbey. Everyone dressed in the very latest fashion to attend church. During services, the elderly slept and younger people flirted. Following the service people strolled around the town for a few hours, visiting bookstores, going to dressmakers, or browsing the luxury shops. Artists invited people to their lodgings to see their paintings.An enormous midday dinner was eaten at 2 p.m., followed by tea in the Assembly Rooms or gossip in the pump Room. On two nights a week there were formal dances, where Beau Nash, the social director of Bath, selected couples of the highest rank to dance the first minuet while the rest of the company watched.This may sound boring, but for most people it was very enjoyable because Beau Nash insisted that all visitors, regardless of rank, must mingle freely in the streets and common rooms. The titled people felt grand just from associating with one another. The lower ranks, such as merchants and artists, were happy because for a little while they could converse with grand lords and ladies on an equal level. If an artist could get even one portrait commission from an aristocrat, his career was assured.In a way, Bath in the 17 and 18 centuries was very like the Internet; you could chat, meet people with like interests, and sell your products. And you could also soak away your arthritis!