The Four Seasons of Life – Middle Age "The Season of Strength"
Over the centuries, the seasons have been used as a natural metaphor for the cyclical nature of life. After the disruption of the American Civil War, Currier & Ives produced a series of prints, titled "The Four Seasons of Life," which offered promising images of family contentment, prosperity and serenity. These images of "Childhood," "Youth," "Middle Age" (an autumn domestic scene depicted here), and "Old Age" represented the ideals of daily life in rural, middle class America.
In this sentimental family scene, a man enthusiastically greets his wife and children who welcome him at the lush, vine-covered entry of his country home. Flanked by his daughter (holding a doll) and wife, the father joyfully lifts his baby in his upraised arms, while his young son waves from the top steps near the doorway. At the left of the image, there is a sweeping vista of the countryside: a man guides oxen pulling a load; beyond is a picturesque view of a lake (or river) and mountains. The verse imprinted beneath the image reads: "But as the hues of summer fade away, / And varying tints, the days of autumn bring; / So life's autumnal season, brings its grey, / And cares like ivy, to our pleasures cling. / Sweet cares when home, and loving hearts , are ours, / And loving lips, breathe forth their welcome song, / For them we labor through the passing hours, / And bear our burdens, thankful we are strong." Shortly after this image was printed, however, the lithography stone used to make this image broke, so Currier & Ives created a second version with the same title "Middle Age -The Season of Strength" for the series.
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.
In this sentimental family scene, a man enthusiastically greets his wife and children who welcome him at the lush, vine-covered entry of his country home. Flanked by his daughter (holding a doll) and wife, the father joyfully lifts his baby in his upraised arms, while his young son waves from the top steps near the doorway. At the left of the image, there is a sweeping vista of the countryside: a man guides oxen pulling a load; beyond is a picturesque view of a lake (or river) and mountains. The verse imprinted beneath the image reads: "But as the hues of summer fade away, / And varying tints, the days of autumn bring; / So life's autumnal season, brings its grey, / And cares like ivy, to our pleasures cling. / Sweet cares when home, and loving hearts , are ours, / And loving lips, breathe forth their welcome song, / For them we labor through the passing hours, / And bear our burdens, thankful we are strong." Shortly after this image was printed, however, the lithography stone used to make this image broke, so Currier & Ives created a second version with the same title "Middle Age -The Season of Strength" for the series.
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Four Seasons of Life – Middle Age "The Season of Strength"
- Artist: Frances Flora Bond Palmer (American (born England), Leicester 1812–1876 New York)
- Artist: John Cameron (American, born Scotland, ca. 1828–after 1896 New York)
- Lithographer: On stone by James Merritt Ives (American, New York 1824–1895 New York)
- Publisher: Currier & Ives (American, active New York, 1857–1907)
- Date: 1868
- Medium: Hand-coloroed lithograph
- Dimensions: Image: 15 3/4 × 23 3/4 in. (40 × 60.3 cm)
Image with text: 17 3/4 × 23 3/4 in. (45.1 × 60.3 cm)
Sheet: 22 3/4 × 29 3/4 in. (57.8 × 75.6 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Bequest of Adele S. Colgate, 1962
- Object Number: 63.550.274
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
1866
Frances Flora Bond Palmer
Nathaniel Currier
1849–56
Frances Flora Bond Palmer
Nathaniel Currier
1849–56
Frances Flora Bond Palmer
Nathaniel Currier
1849
Frances Flora Bond Palmer
Nathaniel Currier
1849–56
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.