Evening

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. (35.2 × 25.4cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1950-712

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Ph. Mercier pinx.t/ Publish'd according to Act of Parliament/ Rich. d Houston fecit. / Now Phoebus from the skies withdraws his beams / And faintly glances in the Limpid Streams / Now tow'rds the Park Melinda takes her Way / And breaths fresh Odour on the setting Day./ EVENING./ 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 evening and the young woman is shown drawing a glove on her left hand. She wears a large-scale brocaded sacque back gown fastening on the front with a stomacher. Each sleeve is finished with double flounces and the gown also has a tucker around the neckline. She also wears a lace ruff around her neck, flowers in her hair and small pearl earrings. A sky at dusk is shown through an open arched window. To see the rest of the set, see: Morning 1962-288, Noon 1950-211, Evening 1950-212, and Night 1950-713.

The verse reads:
Now Phoebus from the skies withdraws his beams,
And faintly glances in the Limpid Streams:
Now tow'rds the Park Melinda takes her Way,
And breaths fresh Odour on the setting Day.ProvenanceBefore 1950, the Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1950-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).