Artifact World Gallery
Get the iOS app

Artwork

Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons

Jacques-Guillaume Van Blarenberghe , 1740

Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons, by Jacques-Guillaume Van Blarenberghe, gouache, 1740
Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons, by Jacques-Guillaume Van Blarenberghe, gouache, 1740

Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons is a gouache painting by the Rococo painting artist Jacques-Guillaume Van Blarenberghe. It dates from 1740 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The tonal harmony and subtle gradations of light convey a seasonal atmosphere, reflecting the artist’s interest in capturing fleeting environmental effects.

The work is executed in gouache on panel, a medium that allows for delicate, translucent layering of color. Its composition features a solitary tree rendered with precise brushwork, emphasizing naturalistic detail and balanced spatial arrangement typical of 18th‑century French landscapes. The tonal harmony and subtle gradations of light convey a seasonal atmosphere, reflecting the artist’s interest in capturing fleeting environmental effects. The painting measures 21 cm in height and 28 cm in width.

History & Provenance

The work titled Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons was created in 1740 by the artist Jacques-Guillaume Van Blarenberghe. Executed in gouache on panel, this landscape series depicts arboreal scenes corresponding to the annual cycle. The piece currently resides in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is held as part of their painting holdings.

No specific details regarding the original commission, prior ownership history, or the chain of custody preceding its arrival at the museum are provided in the available records.

Overview

Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons is a gouache painting executed by Jacques‑Guillaume Van Blarenberghe in 1740. The work is composed of four compact panels arranged in a two‑by‑two grid, each illustrating a brief outdoor scene that together suggest the progression of the year. The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

Each panel presents a modest landscape populated by figures in period dress, set against a backdrop of trees, fields, and distant architecture. The upper pair shows verdant fields and leafy trees, while the lower pair features a more barren, wintry environment with a frozen river. The subtle variations in foliage and atmosphere convey the passage of the four seasons.

Context

The work belongs to a broader tradition of seasonal allegories popular in the Rococo period, often used to decorate interiors and convey the orderly rhythm of nature. Van Blarenberghe’s focus on everyday figures within a landscape aligns with contemporary interests in genre scenes that blend pastoral charm with subtle didactic messages.

Thirteen sketches for Tapestry Cartoons
Thirteen sketches for Tapestry Cartoons, Francisco Bayeu

Artist & collection

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

Continue through works from the same source collection.

VISUALLY SIMILAR

Similarity 100 percent

MORE: TREES

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Rijksmuseum. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons?

Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons was painted by Jacques-Guillaume Van Blarenberghe in 1740-01-01.

Where can I see Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons?

Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons?

Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons?

Museum-quality prints of Four Landscapes, Representing the Four Seasons are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.