The Farmer.

PrinterPrinted by Kellogg & Comstock American, 1850 - 1851

PublisherPublished by Kellogg & Comstock American, 1850 - 1851

PublisherPublished by Ensign & Thayer American, 1849 - 1850

Date1850

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 8 x 12 5/16in. (20.3 x 31.3cm)
Sheet (height x width): 10 1/16 x 13 5/8in. (25.6 x 34.6cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Samuel St. John Morgan

DescriptionA young man guides a plow drawn by two horses towards the left. He wears a shirt, vest, pants, and a broad-brimmed hat. He holds the reins in his right hand, and his left hand rests on the handle of the plow. The horses have harnesses and bridles with blinders. They are in a broad, open field. A small dog lies asleep beside a jug beneath a large tree at the right. A man and a cow or ox are in another field in the left background. A large house is nearby. Another house, a church steeple, and a Virginia split rail fence are in the right background. A large clump of trees is in the center background. Hills are in the distance. Birds fly in the sky.

Object number1957.65.10

InscribedOn recto, lithographed title beneath image, "THE FARMER. / PLOUGH DEEP WHILE SLUGGARDS SLEEP / AND YOU SHALL HAVE CORN TO SELL AND TO KEEP. / HE THAT BY THE PLOUGH WOULD THRIVE / HIMSELF MUST EITHER HOLD OR DRIVE. / A PLOUGHMAN ON HIS LEGS, IS HIGHER THAN A GENTLEMAN ON HIS KNEES. / Franklin. / 163."

On verso, in pencil: upper left, "XTT / OTT"; lower left, accession number; lower center, "Drawer 16 #12 [crossed out]" "Dwr 46".NotesSubject Note: The quotations are from Poor Richard's Almanac, by Benjamin Franklin. (Finlay 2/19/2004)

Subject Terms