MAY. MAI.

Dateca. 1780

After work by Robert Dighton (1752-1814)

Publisher Carington Bowles 1724 - 1793

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint engraving on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 14 1/4 × 11 in (36.19 × 27.94cm)
Other (Platemark): 13 7/8 × 9 7/8 in (35.24 × 25.08cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1972-177,5

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "MAY./ MAI./ R. Dighton del./ Printed for & Sold by Carington Bowles,/ N.o 69 in S.t Pauls Church Yard, London./ Published as the Act directs, 530"Label TextThis print, representing the month of May, is part of a set of twelve prints representing the months of the year. Themed sets, such as this were popular throughout the eighteenth-century in England and America. An elegantly dressed woman leans against an open window watching groups of revelers dance around a Maypole. Both windows are open, suggesting it is a nice day. She holds a book in her hand. Her cloak hangs on a cloakpin on the left-hand side of the window. Cloakpins were also used to tied back curtains. In the background, the triple-sash window is open to the outdoors.ProvenanceBefore 1972, the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1972-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).