A group of fifteen late eighteenth century satirical prints associated with 'The Macaroni Studio'

Matthew began as a decorator and designer, and also produced political caricatures. Mary joined him in his business, and together they ran shops making and selling popular prints on Fleet Street and the Strand in London.   

These 15 prints illustrate the satirical nature of the Darlys’ most successful work. Among the works of art are eight of their famous ‘macaroni’ caricatures. In the mid-18th century, ‘macaroni’ became a pejorative term to describe men who took fashion to excess (having been used earlier to describe those who had taken the Grand Tour).  

The Darlys produced six sets of ‘macaroni’ prints, each with 24 portraits. Examples here include The Illiterate Macaroni (pictured), with his absurd wig and fancy clothes, and The Fluttering Macaroni, an attack on the character and appearance of the 5th Marquess of Lothian.  

New research is focused on Mary Darly, who may have produced more of the images than was once thought (the use of the initial ‘M’ before ‘Darly’ on the prints – ie, for Mary or Matthew – may have been purposely ambiguous at a time when female printmakers were rare). Other women also made prints for the Darlys’ business, including Elizabeth Bridgetta Gulston, whose work titled The Character is also included.  

These rare historic works by women make an important addition to the print collection at the Whitworth, where female artists are underrepresented. They also raise questions about the representation of class, gender and sexual identity in 18th-century Britain.