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Lot Essay
This series of four figures on pedestals representing the Four Seasons follow a long artistic tradition. The theme of the Four Seasons, traditional in Western Art since the Renaissance, was a much favoured allegorical subject. As was customary, Spring, Summer and Autumn are represented here under the appearance of three ancient Gods: Flora, Goddess of Greenery, with flowers; Ceres, Goddess of Harvests, ears of corn in her arms, and Bacchus, God of Wine, covered with vine branches and grape bunches. As for Winter, he is a robust old man wrapped in a cloak.
The theme of the Four Seasons was very popular in the 18th century, particularly for garden statuary. It provided an opportunity to create representations inspired by Graeco-Roman sculpture. The choice of using white marble here is deliberate. This was the marble used by Greek and Roman sculptors. The fluid and almost wet looking drapery covering the figures calls to mind the same references, as does the women's pose, with hips slightly swaying to one side. As for their oval face, their wavy hairstyle and the straight line of their noses, they evoke the heads of Greek statues.
The theme of the Four Seasons was very popular in the 18th century, particularly for garden statuary. It provided an opportunity to create representations inspired by Graeco-Roman sculpture. The choice of using white marble here is deliberate. This was the marble used by Greek and Roman sculptors. The fluid and almost wet looking drapery covering the figures calls to mind the same references, as does the women's pose, with hips slightly swaying to one side. As for their oval face, their wavy hairstyle and the straight line of their noses, they evoke the heads of Greek statues.