Plate from The Task c. 1800

This plate from *The Task* (c. 1800) by Thomas Stothard (1755-1834) features three vignettes from William Cowper’s poem *The Task*. Each vignette depicts a scene from the poem, including figures playing at a table, gardening, and a couple in a landscape. The vignettes are framed by a decorative border on a page from the original publication of *The Task*. The scenes are drawn in a detailed, illustrative style that was popular in English art of the late 18th century. The plate is a fine example of the connection between literature and visual art.