Landscape · 18th century
€ 110
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condtion with later hand-colouring. Vertical folds as published. Some wear due to age and handling. Please study the images carefully.
This vibrant hand-colored engraving, titled *The Repast of the Reapers*, depicts a lively rural harvest scene filled with laborers taking a well-earned break during their reaping duties. The image captures a group of men, women, and children gathered around a haystack, enjoying a simple meal. Their attire reflects the rural fashion of the 18th century, with women in bonnets and aprons and men in rustic work clothing.
The composition features various activities: some individuals relax and eat, while others remain at work stacking hay onto a wagon or attending to livestock. A gentleman in a green coat and tricorn hat stands prominently in the foreground, interacting with a woman carrying a basket, possibly overseeing the work or distributing provisions. The setting includes a thatched barn, a haystack, and rolling hills in the distance, creating a picturesque pastoral atmosphere.
This print beautifully illustrates the communal spirit of rural life and the importance of harvest traditions in 18th-century society. It would have appealed to audiences seeking romanticized depictions of the countryside and the harmony of labor and nature. This engraving is an excellent representation of agricultural life during the Georgian era, ideal for collectors of rural and historical prints.
