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Lot Essay
The present group depicting the four seasons is an example of a longstanding iconographic tradition with roots going as far back as Roman antiquity. The representation of the seasons first gained popularity in the Pompeian frescoes where young women bearing flowers depicted Spring; others with an ear of corn represented Summer; grapes and vine leaves represent Autumn; while old, bearded, heavily draped men represented Winter.
In 17th and 18th century France, allegorical groups were extremely popular particularly with Louis XIV, who himself commissioned numerous artists to produce, amongst others, allegories of the Months, Virtues, Elements and Seasons - examples of which can be seen in the Château de Versailles, and in the Jardins des Tuileries, Paris.
While groups of seasons were certainly not uncommon, the treatment of the faces and the attributes here are most comparable to a group of seasons in the Hotel de Soubise, Paris, executed by Robert Le Lorrain (1666-1743) in 1708.
In 17th and 18th century France, allegorical groups were extremely popular particularly with Louis XIV, who himself commissioned numerous artists to produce, amongst others, allegories of the Months, Virtues, Elements and Seasons - examples of which can be seen in the Château de Versailles, and in the Jardins des Tuileries, Paris.
While groups of seasons were certainly not uncommon, the treatment of the faces and the attributes here are most comparable to a group of seasons in the Hotel de Soubise, Paris, executed by Robert Le Lorrain (1666-1743) in 1708.