The Four Elements

This unfinished allegorical painting on copper may once have formed part of a larger decorative scheme. The subject is the Four Elements: Water (in the form of a river-god and abundance of coral lower left), Earth (in the form of Cybele who is seated lower centre), Fire (shown by Vulcan in his forge lower right) and Air (with Juno in the centre, surrounded by nymphs, and a multitude of birds upper left).

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 43 minutes): Vivaldi: Four Seasons, violin concertos op. 8 Nos. 1-4