Herfst als vrouw met fruitmand voor een balustrade 1752 - 1764

This mezzotint, created by James McArdell between 1752 and 1764, is titled “Herfst als vrouw met fruitmand voor een balustrade” (Autumn as a Woman with a Fruit Basket in Front of a Balustrade). It depicts a woman, personifying Autumn, holding a basket of fruit and standing before a balustrade. The scene includes figures harvesting fruit in the background, contributing to the theme of autumnal bounty. Mezzotints were a popular printmaking technique during the 18th century, known for their rich tonal range and subtle detail. McArdell, a renowned mezzotint engraver, utilized this technique to capture the delicate features and drapery of the central figure. The artwork is now housed in the Rijksmuseum, a testament to its historical and artistic significance.