In "Spring," here illustrated, for
example, we feel something more than the Youth, Flowers, Love and
Promise obvious in the composition - something tender and romantic but
by no means gay.
Fountain of Winter
Court of the Four Seasons
Fountains of Summer, Autumn and Winter, by the same sculptor as Spring,
just described, are similarly installed in their respective niches in
the Court of Four Seasons. In "Summer" is represented the earth's early
fruition. A young mother lifts her new-born babe for its father's kiss.
A gleaner harvests the grain. Over all is a gentle solemnity. In
"Autumn," probably the most admired of the four, against the background
of a fruit-bearing tree, a superb nymph bears proudly the full jar of
wine or oil. On one side a crouched figure gathers a richly-laden
garland of the vine; on the other, a youthful, kneeling female figure
plays with a lusty child. Even this period of completion is marked by
the general pensive beauty. It is emphasized most, however, in "Winter,"
here illustrated. The bowed, worn toiler rests on his shovel, the spirit
of the year waits, still and brooding. But, on the other hand, the sower
is ready to cast the new seeds; the cycle re-commences.
Fountain of Ceres
Forecourt of the Four Seasons
The Forecourt of the Seasons, the continuation of the Court of the Four
Seasons to the Marina, is officially called the Forecourt of Ceres,
because of Evelyn Beatrice Longman's Fountain of Ceres which commands
it.
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