Courting Couple Needlework picture English c.1780 DON'T TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY! This large, delightful needlework picture features an elegantly dressed seated couple taking a break from raking. It appears the seated man is pledging his heart to the lady while being observed by another gentleman standing behind some vegetation. WHY ARE ELEGANTLY DRESSED PEOPLE "WORKING" outside? They are "pastoraling", an activity that was quite in vogue at the time. Well-to-do courting couples would spend the afternoon in a bucolic setting pretending they were a shepherd and shepherdess, or far more rarely, as in this example, pretend to be field workers. In actually, they were getting to know each other and having fun, or in other words, "courting". SO, WHAT ARE THE PHOENIX AND SQUIRREL ALL ABOUT? In the upper left is a phoenix that represents a long life or starting over and in the upper right is a squirrel which represents surrendering and letting things happen, injecting more fun into your life and enjoying the wonders of the world. In excellent condition, conservation mounted in a new frame. Silk thread on linen canvas; 27" x 20 ¾" sights, 33" x 26 ¾ " framed. $7,500 STEPHEN & CAROL HUBER (860) 388-6809 View other canvaswork