Winter (one of a set of four)

Art Historical Context

This marble relief titled *Winter* forms part of a charming set of four seasonal sculptures created by the French artist Edme Bouchardon around the mid-18th century. Measuring just over three feet wide, the work captures the essence of the coldest season through playful figures of children accompanied by dogs, rendered in crisp, low-relief carving that highlights the smooth texture of the stone. As a piece acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, it exemplifies the refined decorative sculpture popular in French interiors of the period, where such sets often adorned fireplaces or garden walls to evoke the changing rhythms of nature. Bouchardon’s treatment invites viewers to appreciate the subtle details of winter life, from bundled clothing to the lively interaction between the children and their canine companions. The medium of marble allows for delicate modeling of forms while maintaining a sense of lightness and elegance suited to domestic settings. Today, the relief offers museum visitors a glimpse into 18th-century French culture, where art celebrated both the beauty of the seasons and the innocence of childhood.

About the Artist

Edme Bouchardon · 1698–1762

Born 29 May 1698; died 27 July 1762. Bouchardon was a student of Guillaume Coustou, and won the prix de Rome in 1722. He spent ten years (1722-1732) in Rome, Italy working on various projects for Pope Clement XII. In 1732 Bouchardon was recalled to Paris and named sculptor to the king. Bouchardon became a professor at the Académie Royale in 1746. He worked on an equestrian monument of Louis XV, Ki...