‘The Bruising Apothecadry. – paratus operi -‘, 1774

Description

Mounted hand coloured etching entitled ‘The bruising apothecary. – paratus operi -‘, designed by anon, possibly etched by Matthew Darly, and published by Matthew Darly in 1774.

One of the later issues of Darly’s series of “Macaroni” prints. A portrait of a coarse, stout man standing pugnaciously in profile facing to the right. His left hand is clenched into a fist. His head is bare since he has removed his large “physical” wig (almost a universal symbol of a medical man), which he holds in his right hand, to be ready for the fray. He wears a very large greatcoat and shoes with large fashionable buckles. The colouring is not original.