Description:
Satirical print by Matthew Darly (ca.1720-1780) depicting 18th-century men's wig styles. Titled "WIGS.", additional information appears in the lower right hand margin "Pubd. Accordg. to Act Octr. 12, 1773 by M. Darly 39 Strand." The number "29" appears in the upper left hand corner of the print. Fourteen caricature heads showing the different types of wig worn by men. A companion print to 'Hats.' Some are apparently portraits, including Henry Bathurst, 2nd Earl Bathurst (1714 - 1794), Lord Chancellor. From an album of caricatures published by Mary Darly dated January 1776. It seems that her husband Matthew made the plates. Wigs were an integral part of the public, well-dressed image of men for much of the 17th and 18th centuries. Styles, like fashion, evolved and changed during this period, and like clothing, wigs were fodder for humor. Different styles of wigs shown include full-bottom, bag, physical, clerical, club, and queue. Hand coloring (possibly later), as well as vertical background lines help anchor and set off the illustrated heads. Darly also produced an accompanying "Hats." print earlier in October of that year.
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2021.5 |
