The Four Seasons
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
The Four Seasons is a 1850 by Franz Valentin Durmer, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows four women and three children in a dreamy, outdoor setting. The women are dressed in flowing robes or completely nude, sitting or lounging among vines and clouds. One child holds a flag, another sits on a rock, and a woman in the center leans back with a relaxed pose. Notice how the light and shadow create a soft, almost glowing effect around the figures. This print was made to look like a painting, using careful shading to show depth. Next, check out the technique: chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and dark for drama.
The artwork is a print on paper titled *The Four Seasons*, after Guido Reni, created by Franz Valentin Durmer in 1850. It exists in a second state, distinguished by the presence of letters.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Franz Valentin Durmer’s prints feel like weather reports from the 1790s—every line crisp enough to catch the wind.
See the richer artist page
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