The Commissioners
April 1, 1778
Medium
Etching
Dimensions
plate: 9 13/16 x 13 3/4 in. (24.9 x 35 cm) sheet: 10 15/16 x 18 3/16 in. (27.8 x 46.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Charles Allen Munn, 1924
Accession Number
24.90.1430
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created in April 1778 by British printmaker Matthew Darly, *The Commissioners* is a lively etching that captures the heated political climate of the American Revolution. Darly, known for his sharp caricatures, used the medium to comment on contemporary events, here focusing on British political figures. The work belongs to a rich tradition of 18th-century satirical prints that circulated widely, allowing the public to engage with current affairs through humor and exaggeration. Etching proved ideal for such commentary, as its fine lines enabled detailed portraits and witty visual metaphors tha...