Four Seasons, or Les Quatre Saisons, is a French woven jacquard wall tapestry based on the work by J.B. Oudry (1686-1755). This scene is an elegant example of a new ideal among 18th century tapestry makers to make their tapestries, seen from a distance, look like paintings.
At left This scene is populated with idealized representations of the seasons Spring and Summer. Hay and sycle are piled artfully to display the harvest. A flock of spring lambs and their herd dog appear before a farmhouse. A pair of doves prance in the foreground among vibrant and detailed flowers. Two goats forage among rich green foliage before an old wind mill in the background.
At right Autumn and Winter are represented. Hunting and grape-gathering are an iconic aspect of the Autumn charm. A large basket of grapes and fruit spill artfully to display the harvest. Two deer gracefully bound onto a scene where pheasants and partridges scramble for shelter in fear of the hunter; heralded by his hound. The background features a bridge to an old mill and the arches of old ruins all is surrounded by a intricate border of leaves.
