European school (XIX) - Allegorie van de Lente

Refined French oil painting in an oval frame featuring a scene with three putti on a cloudscape from the last quarter of the 18th century, anonymous.

This work depicts an idyllic scene with three putti in a light sky setting with clouds and a blue sky. The scene exudes a pronounced allegorical atmosphere with various references to spring and the abundance of nature. In the foreground, two putti relax on the clouds, surrounded by flowers. The floral motifs are particularly refined, with attention to botanical details and color variation, emphasizing the symbolic nature of spring and fertility.

Putti in art history often refer to universal themes such as love, innocence, the seasons, or divine inspiration. In this work, there is a clear association with spring or Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. The abundance of floral elements, the heavenly setting, and the playful innocence of the putti suggest a celebration of nature and life.

The soft modeling of the bodies, the use of light-dark contrast, and the airy atmosphere are characteristic of the late rococo style, which continued to influence subsequent periods. The rich gilded frame in neoclassical style supports the luxurious appearance of this work.