Print Study Picks: Time to Eat!
By Lori Williamson
October 29, 2025—The harvest is in; time to celebrate! Food nourishes, sustains, and delights. Food traditions vary widely (and deliciously) around the world and are subject to evolution. Here, though, are a few works that celebrate a timeless tradition: getting together over a meal.
John Nash (English, 1750–1835), Banquet Room, from The Royal Pavilion at Brighton, 1820–24, hand-colored aquatint. The Minnich Collection, The Ethel Morrison Van Der Lip Fund, P.17, 286
John Nash (English, 1750–1835), The Kitchen, from The Royal Pavilion at Brighton, 1820–24, hand-colored aquatint. The Minnich Collection, The Ethel Morrison Van Der Lip Fund, P.17, 287
Theater designer and architect John Nash was tasked with expanding and enhancing the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, England, between 1815 and 1822. These aquatints were created to share the transformative results of his work (while showcasing the might and fortune of the British Empire) with a broader audience. Those not invited inside could enjoy a peek into the ornate banquet hall and cavernous kitchen! Today, the Royal Pavilion is open to the public as a museum.
Winslow Homer (American, 1836–1910), The Dinner Horn, 1870, wood engraving. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Robert D. Semsch, P. 82.40.223
This wood engraving appeared in an 1870 edition of Harper’s Weekly, an illustrated American journal published between 1857 and 1916. Artist Winslow Homer was a frequent Harper’s contributor, documenting everything from the Civil War to this scene of a young woman calling people in from the fields for dinner (or what we would likely categorize today as lunch).
Homer created several variations on the theme in oil paint, but this print allowed him to share his idyllic pastoral scene more broadly. Don’t miss the adorable cat in the doorway!
David Sharir (Israeli, born 1938), Shavuoth, from The Seven Festivals, 1981, color screenprint. Gift of David L. and Mary M.D. Parker, 2005.131
Shavuot is a Jewish festival that celebrates the giving of the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament as well as the harvest season. Artist David Sharir was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, and after studying art there, went on to pursue architecture and theater design in Italy.
The breadth of his study is evident in the separate yet cohesive vignettes of this screenprint. The vibrant colors and playful elements reflect the festive spirit of the celebration, while the depiction of people at work reminds viewers that both aspects—celebration and labor—are interconnected.
About Lori Williamson, Supervisor of the Herschel V. Jones Print Study Room at Mia
Lori Williamson creates mini-exhibitions and teaches classes and Print Study Room visitors about the museum’s rich collection of works on paper. She’s the primary caretaker for more than 40,000 prints, 6,000 drawings, and 600 artists’ books, collaborating with curators in American, European, and Global Contemporary Art to make these holdings accessible. Williamson supports scholars through research and inquiry, and advocates for the inclusion of works on paper in exhibitions, social media, and outreach, helping to connect diverse audiences with this dynamic collection.
Interested in seeing something in the Print Study Room? All are welcome by appointment. Email Lori Williamson and copy the Print Study Room to make an appointment.
Meet the other curators in the Department of European Art.