The artwork titled “Four Seasons,” created by Rosalba Carriera, is an allegorical painting rooted in the Rococo art movement. This oeuvre encapsulates the essence of allegorical representation, a prominent feature of the Rococo period.
The artwork comprises four individual portraits, each representing a different season. Estival hues imbue the image representing Spring, depicted by a young woman adorned with flowers, symbolizing growth and new beginnings. In the portrayal of Summer, the woman is captured with fruits, embodying abundance and vitality. Autumn, depicted by a figure holding harvested grains, illustrates the reaping of one’s labor and the mellowness of mature fruition. The portrayal of Winter, represented by a woman draped in warmer clothing, signifies the cold embrace and introspection of the season. Each figure is painted with delicate brushstrokes, evoking the softness and elegance characteristic of Rococo art. Through this allegorical painting, Carriera masterfully unites the transient beauty of nature’s cycles with the enduring charm of human form.
