GOUJON, Jean
(b. ca. 1510, d. ca. 1565, Bologna)

The Seasons: Spring and Summer

1550-56
Stone
Hôtel Carnavalet, Paris

Jean Goujon and his workshop decorated the court façade of the Hôtel Carnavalet with four remarkable bas-relief between the five windows of the main floor. They represent the Seasons: from the left Spring (a young man), Summer (Ceres, goddess of the harvest), Autumn (Bacchus, god of wine and grape gathering) and Winter (an old woman). The sinuous, complex drapery folds are characteristic of Goujon style.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 9 minutes):
Joseph Haydn: The Seasons, Part 1 Spring, Introduction, aria and chorus