Noon

Date1760

After work by Philippe Mercier 1689 - 1760

Engraver Richard Houston (1721-1775)

Publisher Robert Sayer (1725-1794)

OriginEngland, London

MediumHand-colored mezzotint engraving

DimensionsOther (Plate): 13 7/8 × 10in. (13 7/8 × 10in.)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1950-711

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Ph. Mercier pinx.t/ Publish'd according to Act or Parliament: . Rich.d Houston fecit/ 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./ NOON./ London Printed for Rob.t Sayer, opposite Fetter Lane Fleet Street."Label TextIn this print from a series representing the times of day. It is noon and young lady sits before a dressing table arranging flowers in her hair. Her right hand reaches for a pin from a cushion on the table. She wears a gown with a trimmed stomacher, double sleeve flounces and a tucker around the neck line. Draped over her shoulders is a printed kerchief. The dressing table is covered and a small mirror is being used for her toilet.
To see the rest of the set, see: Morning 1962-288, Noon 1950-211, Evening 1950-212, and Night 1950-713.

Verse reads:
Lower margin reads:
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.ProvenanceBefore 1950, the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1950-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).