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

1794

Maker

Laurie & Whittle (fl. 1794-1858)

Measurements

Frame: 16-1/4 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

1959.4049

Inscription

"Spring." is printed in the center of the banner below the image.  "Come then ye Virgins and ye Youths whose hearts / Have felt the raptures of refining love; / Oh, come! And while the rosy-footed May / Steals blushing on, together let us tread" forms a block of text on the left side, and "The morning dews, and gather in their prime / Fresh-blooming flowers to grace thy braided hair, / And thy lov’d bosom, that improves their sweets." forms the right text block.  "Vide Thomson’s Seasons. / 206" is in the lower right corner.  “Published 12th May 1794 by Laurie & Whittle, 53 Fleet Street, London.” is printed across the center bottom.

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. 1959.4050, 1959.4051, and 1959.4052).  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.

“Spring.” shows a young man and woman, she with spring flowers in her apron.  They both hold a nest of baby chicks in front of him.  A woman holding a floral wreath crouches in the lower right, in front of a basket of flowers.  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.