Parakeet Green

Before the incredible discovery during the early nineteenth century that arsenic could be used to dye fabric emerald green and make it colourfast, it was notoriously expensive to achieve green in cloth. Green in fashion was long associated with macaronis so it was not to everyone’s taste.

This well-dressed gentleman from the early 1790s looks proud of his expensive green coat with its stylish gold buttons and gold braid trim. His wig, though powdered, looks rather less well manicured.

Framed in chased gold, this is one of John Barry’s finest works. It demonstrates his trademark angular eyebrows, texturing and fresh colours. The frame is glazed reverse to show two shades of interwoven hair.

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