The Four Seasons of Life – Middle Age "The Season of Strength"

Over the centuries, the seasons have been used as a natural metaphor for the cyclical nature of life. After the disruption of the American Civil War, Currier & Ives produced a series of prints, titled "The Four Seasons of Life," which offered promising images of family contentment, prosperity and serenity. These images of "Childhood," "Youth," "Middle Age" (an autumn domestic scene depicted here), and "Old Age" represented the ideals of daily life in rural, middle class America.

In this sentimental family scene, a man enthusiastically greets his wife and children who welcome him at the lush, vine-covered entry of his country home. Flanked by his daughter (holding a doll) and wife, the father joyfully lifts his baby in his upraised arms, while his young son waves from the top steps near the doorway. At the left of the image, there is a sweeping vista of the countryside: a man guides oxen pulling a load; beyond is a picturesque view of a lake (or river) and mountains. The verse imprinted beneath the image reads: "But as the hues of summer fade away, / And varying tints, the days of autumn bring; / So life's autumnal season, brings its grey, / And cares like ivy, to our pleasures cling. / Sweet cares when home, and loving hearts , are ours, / And loving lips, breathe forth their welcome song, / For them we labor through the passing hours, / And bear our burdens, thankful we are strong." Shortly after this image was printed, however, the lithography stone used to make this image broke, so Currier & Ives created a second version with the same title "Middle Age -The Season of Strength" for the series.

Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.