Object Image

The Four Seasons of Love

Four designs.

Spring: a tailor kneels before a woman and says, "Oh you bewitching Angel behold at your feet a Swain as tender as a Veal Cutlet, You are the very Broad Cloth of perfection—have pity on me Adorable Mrs Griskin." She answers: "You enchanting Devil I do not know what to say to you. however Mr Thimble—that Mole between your eye-brows— put me so much in mind of my poor departed Husband, that I think I cant refuse you."

Summer: the pair walks arm in arm in a landscape, followed by a dog. He says: "O thou wert born to please me My Life my only Dear." She answers: "Ay now you look a little stylish You are a—Charming Man who would not be married."

Autumn: They face each other defiantly...

September 15, 1814
Hand-colored etching
23.3 x 32.7cm
59.533.1578
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019

Where you'll find this

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection