The First of September, Evening
1796
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1796
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The First of September, Evening is a 1796 ink by William Ward, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows a small, weathered house at dusk. Three men stand outside: one in a red coat talking, another in a brown coat leaning on a table, and a third leading two horses. A little girl in a white dress stands near them, and two dogs lie on the ground. Inside, a man watches from an open window. A sign with a lion on it hangs crookedly above the door. The title says it’s *The First of September, Evening*, so this scene is meant to feel like a quiet moment at the start of autumn. The colors are muted, with earthy browns and grays, making everything look calm but a little worn. If you like this scene, check out Romanticism next to see how artists used everyday life to tell bigger stories.
