Night

Date1758

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 number1950-713

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Phi. Mercier pinx.t/ Publish'd according to Act of Parliament/ Rich.d Housten Fecit./ Now sprightly Thoughts date the Virgin's Breast/ At Masquerade she wishes to be blest/ Tho as a Pilgrim here the Nymph appears/ She feels a Woman's Hopes & Woman's Fears./ NIGHT./ London Printed for Robt Sayer opposite Fetter Lane Fleet Street."
Label TextIn this print from a series representing the times of day. Now it is nighttime and the lady is dressed for a masquerade ball. She is dressed in a long sleeved gown or traveling gown called a Brunswick or Jesuit with a small white ruff around her neck. She wears a small scallop shell-covered cape around her shoulders to symbolize her pilgrim costume, a small cocked hat with feather and pearl hair ornament. Her right hand holds a pilgrims staff, her left her mask. Sets representing the times of day, the seasons, senses, and months of the year were popular in the eighteenth-century. To see the rest of the set, see: Morning 1962-288, Noon 1950-211, Evening 1950-212, and Night 1950-713.

Verse beneath:
Now sprightly Thoughts date the Virgin's Breast
At Masquerade she wishes to be blest
Tho as a Pilgrim here the Nymph appears
She feels a Woman's Hopes & Woman's Fears.