Autumn, from a set of ornamental designs with allegories of the seasons and grotesques
Engraving, part of a group of four ornamental designs with grotesque motifs, from a series of six designs with allegorical representations of the seasons created by Marc Duval. The design consists of a grotesque centaur (?) on the lower part, holding on his back two female terms with scrolling tails and bundles of grapes hanging from their hips and flanking their heads. The union of their tails is flanked by a gobled with fire, upon which is a putto, sitting on a wooden barrel, and extending his arms to the sides while crushing bundles of grapes that he holds in his hands, their liquid pouring into two cups held up towards him by the terms. With their other hand, the terms hold a strip of fabric from which hang a variety of vessels and goblets used to serve wine. Above them, and to the sides of the putto in the center of the composition, are two rams, standing on scrolling branches, their mouths pointing to bundles of grapes held by the branches, and their horns holding a fabric hanging. From the scrolls on the upper part of the composition hang two grotesque feline creatures. The inscription on the bottom suggests that this is a representation of autumn, thus suggesting wine production as an important labors of the season. This is consistent representations of the labors of the months, inherited from medieval tradition, in which winemaking figures as the iconic labor of September.
Artwork Details
- Title: Autumn, from a set of ornamental designs with allegories of the seasons and grotesques
- Artist: Marc Duval (French, Le Mans ca. 1530–1581 Paris)
- Artist: After (?) René Boyvin (French, Angers ca. 1525–1598 or 1625/6 Angers)
- Printmaker: Jaen Hogenberg
- Date: ca. 1550–81
- Medium: Engraving: second state
- Dimensions: Sheet: 7 3/16 × 5 11/16 in. (18.3 × 14.4 cm)
- Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1941
- Object Number: 41.24.4
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Marc Duval
René Boyvin
ca. 1550–81
Marc Duval
René Boyvin
ca. 1550–81
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René Boyvin
ca. 1550–81
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ca. 1475–80
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