‘Matthew Manna. A Country Apothecary’, 1773

Description

Framed and mounted black and white etching, entitled ‘MATTHEW MANNA. A COUNTRY APOTHECARY.’, designed by Richard St George Mansergh, etched and published by M. Darly in 1773.

This caricature is a satire on the humble nature of a country apothecary. The apothecary is depicted as an ungainly figure in a large old-fashioned long coat with deep boot cuffs and a large, irregularly cocked hat (typical of tradesmen).

He holds a wig, a staff, and has a barber’s bowl under his arm. His shop is depicted as a rough, single-storey, thatched stone cottage. For illiterate customers, as was common practice, it has a sign, a prominent barbers pole. While a board above the single window proclaims all the services provided by the apothecary; “MATT MANNA” Apothecary, surgeon, CORN Cutter etc etc, Man midfife [sic], Gentlemen shaved and Hogs Gelded, shave for a penny and Bleed for 2 pence”.