

The author of this high quality Allegory of Summer (along with the previous lot, Allegory of Autumn) was clearly aware of Stanchi's work, which followed Arcimboldo's anthropomorphic type. It is likely that the figurative composition may have originated in Stanchi's studio in Rome circa 1645-1672, since he presided over hugely a family workshop. A set of the Four Seasons attributed to Stanchi, in which the same two allegories are depicted, were sold London, Sotheby's, 6 December 2017, lot 23, for 465,000 GBP (623,333 USD).