Title
A Set of Four Mezzotints
Date
dated 1760
Description
A set of four mezzotints (English, dated 1760) engraved by Richard Houston (1721-1775) and published by Robert Sayer, London, after paintings by Philippe Mercier (1689-1760). The mezzotints depict the different times of day as personified by young women.
.1 – "Morning" depicts a bonnet-clad young lady in an embroidered house coat, seated beside her breakfast tea table. Below the image and around the title is printed the verse: Just risen from repose fair Delia see/sipping with secret joy her favorite tea/ thus does the nymph her morning hours waste/and smiles indulgently on the glad repast.
.2 – "Noon" depicts a lady seated at her toilette table adjusting her coiffure in front of a looking glass. Below the image and around the title is printed the verse: Now dress and ornament, the female's pride/no longer can their powerful influence hide/ the toilet now and glass exert their arts/ what less the conquest than a thousand hearts.
.3 – "Evening" depicts a lady in evening dress standing by open arcade adjusting her gloves. Printed below the image and around the title is the verse: Now Phoebus from the skies withdraws his beams/and faintly glances in limpid streams/ now tow'rds the Park Melinda takes her way/and breaths fresh odour on the setting day.
.4 – "Night" depicts a lady dressed for a costume ball holding up her mask. Printed below the image and around the title is the verse: Now sprightly thoughts elate the virgin's breast/at Masquerade she wishes to be blest/tho as a pilgrrim here the nymph appears/she feels a woman's hopes and woman's fears.
.1 – "Morning" depicts a bonnet-clad young lady in an embroidered house coat, seated beside her breakfast tea table. Below the image and around the title is printed the verse: Just risen from repose fair Delia see/sipping with secret joy her favorite tea/ thus does the nymph her morning hours waste/and smiles indulgently on the glad repast.
.2 – "Noon" depicts a lady seated at her toilette table adjusting her coiffure in front of a looking glass. Below the image and around the title is printed the verse: Now dress and ornament, the female's pride/no longer can their powerful influence hide/ the toilet now and glass exert their arts/ what less the conquest than a thousand hearts.
.3 – "Evening" depicts a lady in evening dress standing by open arcade adjusting her gloves. Printed below the image and around the title is the verse: Now Phoebus from the skies withdraws his beams/and faintly glances in limpid streams/ now tow'rds the Park Melinda takes her way/and breaths fresh odour on the setting day.
.4 – "Night" depicts a lady dressed for a costume ball holding up her mask. Printed below the image and around the title is the verse: Now sprightly thoughts elate the virgin's breast/at Masquerade she wishes to be blest/tho as a pilgrrim here the nymph appears/she feels a woman's hopes and woman's fears.
Cultural Origin
English
Medium
ink on paper
Extent
13 1/2" x 10"
Collection
Source
Gift of Mr. Miles Bidwell, 2014.
Identifier
PSNC.12597.1-.4
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.