E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Seasons (The).
In art. The four seasons have often been sculptured or painted by artists:
1
POUSSIN drew his symbolic characters from the Old Testament. Thus, Adam and Eve in Paradise represent Spring; Ruth in the cornfields represents Summer; Joshua and Caleb bringing grapes from the Land of Promise represent Autumn; and the Deluge represents Winter.
2
The Ancient Greeks characterised Spring by Mercury, Summer by Apollo, Autumn by Bacchus, and Winter by Hercules.
3
M. Girondet painted for the King of Spain four pictures, with allegoric character, from the Herculaneum.
