Code: 11096
Dimensions:
"A Visit to the Child at Nurse" &
"A Visit to the Boarding School"
George Morland (1763-1804) (After)
Engraved by William Ward, A.R.A. (1766–1826)
Published by John Raphael Smith (1751–1812)
London, 1788 & 1789
Mezzotint
Framed in Hogarth style frames with verre églomisé mounts
Measure:-
39 cm x 49 cm (image)
60 cm x 70 cm (framed)
These images by Morland provide a fascinating commentary on the raising of children in wealthy households in the late 18th Century and give an insight into the artist's stance on the subject. It appears here that parents have entirely abrogated and outsourced their responsibilities.
In the first image ("A Visit to the Child at Nurse") a mother is visiting her child at the cottage of a 'wetnurse' whose job it was to breastfeed and raise the child. The child seems not to recognise its own mother and clings to the nurse rather than being happy to see a familiar parent. In the second image ("A Visit to the Boarding School") several years have elapsed and the same mother seems to be visiting her child who is now at a boarding school. The child has been brought to be presented to the fashionable parent who has brought a box of sweetmeats. Again, however, the child seems underwhelmed and hesitant about meeting a stranger.
An excellent and substantial pair of highly decorative prints.
