1780 REVOLUTIONARY WAR SATIRICAL “MACARONI” PRINT OF NEW MADE BRITISH OFFICERS BY MARY AND MATTHEW DARLY

$395.00
Originally $375.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2024-350

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The Darlys were a rare husband and wife team of caricaturists and print-sellers, among their other substantial artistic endeavors and were part of the great trade in satirical prints on political and social topics, lampooning pretention, pomposity, outrageous fashion, etc., from the 1750s forward. They issued several sets of “macaroni” prints in the 1770s. For the term think of the lyrics to “Yankee Doodle.”

This is dated March 1780 in their credit line at lower right and falls outside that series, but has some of the same flavor, though perhaps comes from a drawing by one of the amateur artists they cultivated. In this 1780 dated print two puffed-up, newly made officers in uniform and pompous wigs encounter one another on a street, an army officer in red at left in formal pose with one hand tucked in his breast and the other behind him and a naval officer in blue at right, carrying a jug in one hand, likely celebrating his new status, with the navy officer addressing the other, “Ah, my Friend Smith how are you,” To which the army officer, recognizing the condescending tone, responds, “Sir I am an officer as well as your self.” In the background a row of shops clearly gives away their former status. One, apparently the army officer, is or was a barber: the sign over the door at left reads, “Shave for a penny / Cut hair for two pence / Dress hair for 3 pence / Draw hair for 4 pence.” The other is, or was, a tailor, his sign reading, “Taylors work in General by Sir Joshua Headstrong Officer to the New made regiment.” Given the date, the “new made” regiment likely refers to the increase in British home-defense forces in answer to France’s formal alliance with the U.S. and declaration of war in 1779.

The condition is very good, with good color and only minor soiling. It is matted and framed, though it has slipped down slightly behind the mat on the left.  Frame measures 17” x 12 ½”; visible portion of the print measures 12 ¾” x 8”.  [ph:L]

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