Andrew Nethercott Antiques has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
Palemon and Lavinia.
Published by: Sayer & Bennett 1782
1782

Mezzotint with some etching
Part of the margin title now pasted to the frame back.
Full inscription content: Lettered below the image with the title, four lines of verse from Thomson's Seasons in two columns 'And art thou then Acasto's dear remains ... The soften'd Image of my Noble Friend. / Thomsons Seasons' and 'London, Printed for R Sayer and J Bennett, Map and Printsellers No. 53 Fleet Street, as the Act directs, 10 Aug. 1782.'

In the original pressed brass fronted fruitwood frame, old worm holes to the wood.
All in very good, bright, sound condition.
The frame 6,1/2" x 5,1/4" or 165mm x 134mm
This painting illustrates a story from James Thomson’s popular poems The Seasons 1726–30.

The rural lovers Palemon and Lavinia appear in Thomson’s Autumn; they are adapted from the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz. Palemon, a gentleman, professes his love for the country girl Lavinia, in a harvest-time setting. Thomson’s sentimental fantasy of rural romance was particularly attractive to a generation brought up on the ideals of Sensibility.
Andrew Nethercott Antiques has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
Works of art, collectables, scientific and decorative antiques from the 17th - 20th century
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