The Four Seasons

In 1952 the children of a wealthy area lawyer, art collector and patron of the arts, donated to the Cleveland Museum of Art a series of four tapestries which their father had acquired.  These tapestries portray the four seasons and were probably made in the 1600s at the famous Gobelins Factory in Paris.  The following year, however, the tapestries were removed from display because, after more than three centuries, they were damaged and in fragile condition. They could not be safely hung.  For decades they sat in the museum's storage.  Then in 2007 they were chosen for cleaning and restoration.  The tapestries were sent to the Royal Manufacturers De Wit in Belgium, experts in textile conservation.  Now, after seventy years, the four, large wall coverings are once again on display.

"Spring"

The season of love.  While the fishermen catch fish in the river below, the gentleman on the bridge seeks to attract the attention of the woman next to him.

"Summer"

The season of ripening crops.  The seated figures to the right are negotiating the price of wheat while a bookkeeper behind them records the transaction.

"Autumn"

The season of the grape harvest.  Harvesters bring baskets of grapes to be stomped to make wine while children snack on the fruit.

  "Winter"

The season of cold and darkness.  The cold does not keep people from enjoying themselves as they gather to ice skate on the frozen pond.