"Autumn." from Thomson's The Seasons (one of a set of four)

1794

Maker

Laurie & Whittle (fl. 1794-1858)

Measurements

Frame: 16-3/8 in x 12-1/8 in x 1 in; sight, 14-1/8 in x 9-7/8 in

Materials

Mezzotint and gouache on paper

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.4052

Inscription

"Autumn." is in the middle of the banner.  "Hence from the busy joy resounding fields, / In cheerful error let us tread the Maze / Of Autumn unconfin’d, and taste reviv’d, / The breath of orchard big with bending fruit." forms the text block on the left, and "Obedient to the breeze and beating ray, / From the deep-loaded bough a millou show’r / Incessant melts away." forms that on the right.  “Published 12th May 1794 by Laurie & Whittle, 53 Fleet Street, London.” runs along the bottom margin, and “Vide Thomson’s Seasons.” is in the lower right corner.

Condition Notes

The print has darkened and is stained.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

The print is part of a series of the four seasons (accession nos. 1959.4049, 1959.4050, and 1959.4051).  The set of four prints was inspired by Scottish author James Thomson’s (1700-1748) book of blank verse poetry, The Seasons, first published in 1730.  It continued to be republished for the next 140 years, becoming one of the most popular books in the English language.  It inspired all sorts of representations of the seasons in all sorts of media and object types.

“Autumn” shows a young man and woman holding fruits of the harvest.  Two young men hunt with dogs in the fields in the background.  The banner below the image records verses from the poem.

The printing firm, Laurie and Whittle, was established by Robert Laurie (c. 1755-1836) and James Whittle (1757-1818). Laurie retired in 1812, leaving management of the firm to his son, Richard Holmes Laurie (1777-1858), who kept it going until his death.  The firm was known primarily for printed maps and charts.