Dismal Dandies, or General Mourning & Crape c. 1819

This hand-coloured etching by Charles Williams likely dates to the early 19th century, and speaks to a very specific moment in British social life. The figures, adorned in military dress and mourning crepe, are visual satires on the public displays of grief and changing masculine identities in the Regency era. The print likely comments on the death of George III in 1820, when it was considered fashionable to parade grief. These “dandies” appear almost overburdened by the weight of mourning. The artist uses exaggerated details – the height of the hats, the length of the crepe, the slimness of the figures – to ridicule the elite classes and their public performance of sorrow. By calling attention to the performative aspect of mourning, Williams questions the sincerity of elite displays of emotion. To better understand this artwork, we can look to sources that document the social customs of the Regency period, and explore records of fashion and popular culture. By understanding the social norms of the time, we can understand how art served as commentary on those norms.