Morning

Date1758

After work by Philippe Mercier 1689 - 1760

Engraver Richard Houston (1721-1775)

Probably by Robert Sayer (1725-1794)

OriginEngland, London

MediumHand-colored mezzotint with line engraving

DimensionsOverall: 14 1/8 × 10in. (35.9 × 25.4cm)
Other (Plate): 12 1/2 × 9 7/8in. (31.8 × 25.1cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1962-288

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Ph. Mercier Pinx.t/ Publish'd according to Act of Parliament Jan. 7, 1758 / Rich.d Houston Fecit/ Just Risen from Repose fair Delia see,/ Sipping with secret joy her favorite Tea./ Thus does the Nymph her morning hours waste, / And smiles indulgent on the glad Repast./ MORNING. / London, Printed for Rob.t Sayer oppostie Fetter Lane Fleet Street, Price 1.s 6.d"Label TextIn this print from a series representing the times of day. It is morning and young lady, dressed in gown and flowered wrapper, sits at a small table enjoying tea and breakfast. She wears a cap with a ribbon. Sets representing the times of day, the seasons, senses, and months of the year were popular in the eighteenth-century. To see the rest of the set, see: Morning 1962-288, Noon 1950-211, Evening 1950-212, and Night 1950-713.

The verse reads:
Just risen from Repose fair Delia see,
Sipping with secret joy her favorite Tea,
Thus does the Nymph her morning hours waste,
And smiles indulgent on the glad Repast.ProvenanceBefore 1962, the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1962-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).