Love and Learning, or the Oxford Scholar 1786

"Love & Learning, or the Oxford Scholar" is a hand-colored etching created by English artist Benjamin Smith in 1786. The print, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, satirizes the amorous pursuits of a scholarly gentleman. The scene depicts the man distracted from his studies by a young woman, while another watches from the background. The image is framed within a circular vignette and is a humorous commentary on the tension between intellectual pursuits and romantic desires. Smith’s work is characteristic of the satirical prints of the late 18th century, often depicting social and cultural trends of the era.