Vrouw met herfsttooi c. 1831 - 1837

Henri Grevedon made this lithograph, Vrouw met herfsttooi, in France during the first half of the 19th century. The artwork encapsulates the spirit of its time through an allegorical portrait representing autumn. The woman's elaborate hairstyle, adorned with grapes and vine leaves, signals a celebration of harvest and nature's bounty. This imagery is no accident. France's economy at the time was heavily dependent on agriculture. Such imagery also carries forward a classical tradition of associating the seasons with female figures. Lithography as a medium facilitated wider distribution of such images, making art more accessible beyond elite circles. The detailed rendering of fabric and jewelry speaks to the growing aspirations of the middle class. To fully appreciate this image, one could delve into fashion plates of the time or agricultural treatises, enriching our understanding of its cultural significance. The study of institutions, such as the rise of print culture, could further contextualize its production and reception.