Herfst 1745

This etching, “Herfst” (Autumn) created by Nicolas de (III) Larmessin in 1745, depicts a scene of courtship in a pastoral setting. The figures are dressed in the fashion of the time, and the scene is full of details that evoke the season of autumn, such as the fallen leaves, the abundance of grapes, and the cool, crisp air. Larmessin was a prolific printmaker who is known for his engravings of landscapes and genre scenes. The piece likely comments on the themes of love and the passage of time through its focus on the natural world.