A New Method of Macarony Making, as Practised at Boston 1830

David Claypoole Johnston made this print, "A New Method of Macarony Making, as Practised at Boston," in the United States around the 1830s. It presents a satirical view of the tarring and feathering of a British customs officer by American patriots. The print employs visual codes of the time: the title references "macaronis," fashionable men who were satirized for their perceived affectations. The number "45" on the hats of the perpetrators refers to the 45th edition of "The North Briton," a publication that criticized the British government. Made in the aftermath of the American Revolution, it reflects the cultural memory of resistance against British rule. The artist's choice to depict this event highlights the ongoing debates about national identity and the legacy of revolutionary violence in American society. To understand this print better, we can consult historical documents, political cartoons, and other visual materials from the period, alongside studies of early American political culture. Only through detailed consideration of this kind can we fully appreciate the print's social and institutional contexts.