French, 19th century, after models attributed to Jean-Baptiste Théodon (1645 - 1713)

The models for these four terms were formerly attributed to Pierre Legros (1666–1719) (see F. Souchal, op. cit.), and reattributed in 2017 by Françoise de La Moureyre to Jean-Baptiste Théodon (1645–1713) (see F. de La Moureyre, op. cit.). These works were commissioned by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, circa 1677, for his private estate at Sceaux; they are now preserved in the Louvre Museum (Cour Puget).

According to Françoise de La Moureyre, Théodon provided the designs for the four terms to the Superintendent of Finances, and personally carved the Winter (inv. MR 1982) and Spring (inv. MR 1979), both completed circa 1681. The execution of the Summer (inv. MR 1980) and Autumn (inv. MR 1981) was entrusted to two lesser-known artists: Pierre Laviron (1659–1685) and a so-called Lacroix, whose first name and dates are unknown.

RELATED LITERATURE

F. Souchal, F. de La Moureyre, French sculptors of the 17th and 18th centuries: the reign of Louis XIV, 3, Oxford / London, 1977-1987, vol. II, 1981, no. 75, pp. 271-272;

F. de La Moureyre, 'Nouveaux regards sur quatre termes de saisons au Louvre', L'Objet d'art, 539, November 2017, p. 52-57.