‘The Market Mends’, 1822

Description

Mounted hand coloured etching, entitled ‘”THE MARKET MENDS”.’, drawn, etched and published by Richard Dighton in 1822.

Many prints published during the period of the 1700s to early 1800s trace the social and professional developments of the pharmacist; specifically the transformation of the medical trader travelling from place to place, into a comparatively affluent figure; frequently a proprietor with their own premises.

‘The Market Mends’ consists of a full-length portrait in profile of a prosperous druggist, Mr. Mends wearing a top hat, and dressed in a long single-breasted brown coat over white trousers. A wall forms the background. ‘Mr Mends Druggist’ is written in pencil next to the portrait. The title ‘The Market Mends’ is not only a play on words regarding his name, but also refers to his affluence as a pharmacist.