Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Matthias Darly. It dates from 2 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work titled “The Catgut Macaroni” is a single‑sheet print produced in London and dated 2 July 1772.
About this work
This print by Matthias Darly was made in London in 1772. It’s a satirical look at fashions of the day. The image pokes fun at men’s flamboyant styles.
Called “The Catgut Macaroni,” it’s part of the Romanticism movement. That means it’s more about humor and social critique than grand emotions.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum online if you want to see more of these prints.
Overview
The work titled “The Catgut Macaroni” is a single‑sheet print produced in London and dated 2 July 1772. It was issued by the publisher M. Darly and is now catalogued within the Harry Beard Print Collection. The image presents a humorous commentary on contemporary male dress, using exaggerated figures to highlight the excesses of fashionable attire.
Subject & Meaning
The composition satirizes the flamboyant styles adopted by men in the early 1770s, portraying figures dressed in overly elaborate clothing and accessories. By exaggerating these elements, the print critiques the pretensions of the so‑called “macaroni” subculture, suggesting that such affectation was both ridiculous and socially conspicuous.
Technique & Style
Executed as a hand‑cut and hand‑coloured print, the work employs line engraving combined with watercolor washes to achieve a lively, detailed surface. The style aligns with the satirical print tradition of the period, favoring clear outlines, bold contrasts, and a narrative clarity that serves the comedic intent of the image.
History & Provenance
First released by Matthias Darly’s London workshop in 1772, the print entered the Harry Beard Collection, a private assemblage of 18th‑century prints. Its survival in this collection has ensured continued scholarly access, and the piece is documented in the museum’s digital catalogue for reference.
Context
The print emerges from a broader cultural moment in which the “macaroni” phenomenon—young men adopting continental fashions—was a subject of public ridicule. Such visual satire functioned alongside printed pamphlets and caricatures, reflecting a growing appetite for social commentary through popular graphic media.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary and Matthew Darly were English printsellers and caricaturists during the 1770s.
