Joseph and His Mistress 1771

This etching by Matthew Darly, titled "Joseph and his Mistress," was made in London in 1771. At first glance, the title may suggest a biblical scene, but don't be fooled! Darly was a master of social satire. Here, he presents a critique of social mobility and marital arrangements within the 18th-century British context. The print subtly mocks the conventions of courtship and marriage, reflecting anxieties about social climbing through advantageous matches. The older woman's exaggerated features and towering wig contrast comically with the youth's restrained demeanor. It's a visual commentary on the perceived imbalance of power and the transactional nature of relationships of the time. To fully understand Darly's work, one might delve into period newspapers, conduct books, and legal documents. These sources shed light on the societal expectations and the economic factors that shaped such unions. Art, as Darly's print demonstrates, is always embedded in a specific social and institutional context.