Object number
64/117
Title
The Plough,
Collection
Creator
Description
This is a coloured etching entitled ‘The Plough’. It was designed, drawn and engraved by Valentine Green, who published it on 4 June 1801. In the foreground is a man carrying a fork standing next to a plough, and the background shows another man ploughing a field. The print is dedicated to the Lord Carrington, President of the Board of Agriculture, and other memebers of the board. The print is one of a collection of paintings and prints thought to date from the last quarter of the 18th century to c.1860.
Physical description
1 coloured etching print: black and gilt frame with perspex.
Label Text
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>1. <B>"Venerate the Plough", drawn and engraved by Valentine Green, 1801</B><P>This ploughman's clothing is typical of that worn by most farm workers at the turn of the nineteenth-century. Most importantly for all outdoor labourers their clothing had to be practical and provide them with warmth, protection and ease of movement.<P>Here we see knee-length breeches worn with stockings and ankle boots, or "highlows". Breeches buttoned or tied at the knee were practical for farm labourers for a number of reasons, not least because working in the fields caused the lower leg to become very dirty. Gaiters were often worn over stockings for extra protection.<P>On his top half the ploughman is wearing a shirt and red waistcoat beneath a short, plain smock. Although not of the more full-bodied type that later became common, this smock is still loose enough for its wearer to need it gathered up and tied round his waist, thus supporting the assertion that "the average labourer avoided the smock during very active work...because it would get in the way". It is a most basic, early type of smock with no decorative features, merely serving as a protective outer garment.<P> By wearing layers of clothing this worker could keep warm in cold weather, but also shed garments if he became too hot. His wide-brimmed "bullycock" hat is also of practical design, providing protection from the sun in summer and the rain in winter.<P>64/117</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV><DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>1. <B>"Venerate the Plough", drawn and engraved by Valentine Green, 1801</B><P>This ploughman's clothing is typical of that worn by most farm workers at the turn of the nineteenth-century. Most importantly for all outdoor labourers their clothing had to be practical and provide them with warmth, protection and ease of movement.<P>Here we see knee-length breeches worn with stockings and ankle boots. Breeches buttoned or tied at the knee were practical for farm labourers for a number of reasons, not least because working in the fields caused the lower leg to become very dirty. Gaiters were often worn over stockings for extra protection.<P>On his top half the ploughman is wearing a shirt and red waistcoat beneath a short, plain smock. Although not of the more full-bodied type that later became common, this smock is still loose enough for its wearer to need it gathered up and tied round his waist. It is a most basic, early type of smock with no decorative features, merely serving as a protective outer garment.<P>By wearing layers of clothing this worker could keep warm in cold weather, but also shed garments if he became too hot. His wide-brimmed "bullycock" hat is also of practical design, providing protection from the sun in summer and the rain in winter.<P>64/117</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'PRINT - etching // Description // THE PLOUGH // 1801 // Designed, drawn and engraved by Valentine Green, Mezzotinto engraver to His Majesty. // Published + sold by V. Green, No. 2 New Road, opposite Fitzroy Square, London, June 4th 1801 // Coloured etching 23x16in // Dimensions // Black & gilt frame // 54.0cm wide x75.0cm high. // Associated Information // Price £20 (Carter's No.42) // Agriculture. The Plough “Ye gen’rous Britons, venerate the plough!” Thomson’s seasons spring. To the Right Honourable Lord Carrington, President, The Vice President and the rest of the members of the Honourable Board of Agriculture, this plate by their permission is most humbly dedicated by their devoted and humble servant, Valentine Green. // References: P. D. Carter's catalogue No.4, p.5 // Whitman 323'.
Production place
Fitzroy Square [Camden]
Production date
1801 - 1801
Object name
Material
Technique
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
