Life in the Country – "The Morning Ride"

In this rural scene, a surrey pulled by two bay horses transports a family (man and boy seated in front; woman, young woman and girl in back seats) driving away from a house that is visible down a hill at the far right.

Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints (most created by other artists) 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.