Potato Lifting, from "The Portfolio"
Strang moved to London from Scotland at the age of seventeen then studied at the Slade School of Fine Art. His teacher, Alphonse Legros, encouraged him to become an etcher and the young artist soon became known for works in that medium. This example enobles the labor of men and women harvesting potatoes and reflects Strang's growing interest in socialism, a movement that gained momentum in Britain during the 1880s. His beliefs led to a friendship with the influential Arts and Crafts designer, Charles Robert Ashbee, to membership in the Art Workers' Guild founded by the latter in 1895, and to involvement with the Essex House Press.
Artwork Details
- Title: Potato Lifting, from "The Portfolio"
- Series/Portfolio: The Portfolio, vol. 13, edited by P. G. Hamerton
- Artist: William Strang (British, Dumbarton, Scotland 1859–1921 Bournemouth)
- Date: October 1882
- Medium: Etching; final state
- Dimensions: Plate: 9 7/16 × 6 3/4 in. (24 × 17.2 cm)
Sheet: 17 1/16 × 12 1/2 in. (43.3 × 31.8 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Donato Esposito, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.653.2
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
William Strang
Essex House Press
December 1901
William Strang
1902
William Strang
ca. 1914
David Lucas
John Constable
1830
Multiple artists/makers
June 11, 1807
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.