Johannes Stradanus, Winter. 1568-1578

English

Winter, 1568 - 1578, (style of) Johannes Stradanus (Bruges, 1523 - 1605, Florence)

A drawing of a landscape setting in which Janus, in the centre, in a chariot made of tree trunks is being drawn towards the right by two owls and two ravens, accomapnied by a group of working people, some with tools. He is followed by beggars, a cripple, and a woman riding a hog with sausages for reins. In the left background are people playing games on frozen water, colf including, and on the right a ship sinks in rough sea. Above, the Goat (December), the Water-Bearer (January) and the Fishes (February) are visible amidst clouds. The scene is surrounded by a decorative border with withered trees, and men warming themselves by fires, and there is an empty cartouche as in RCIN 906853. Inscribed within the upper border: Hyems tremula, qua Janus bistrens claudit anni seriem,multa prebens incommoda. With RCIN 906861, this is probably a design for a set of tapestries illustrating the Four Seasons, possibly for the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Johannes Stradanus, alias Jan van der Straet or Giovanni Stradano, was a Flemish artist active mainly in 16th-century Florence, Italy.

Pen and black ink with grey wash, with touches of white body colour. 40.2 x 41.0 cm (sheet of paper)

Provenance

First recorded in a Royal Collection inventory of c.1810 (Inv. A, p.126: '16. Eight of the Twelve Months of the Year. The Triumph of Spring and Winter, and six of Military Engagements, design'd for Tapestry's')

Acquirer(s)

• George III, King of the United Kingdom (1738-1820)

References

• W&C : White, C. & Crawley, C., 1994. The Dutch and Flemish Drawings at Windsor Castle, Cambridge – W&C 185

• P(F) : van Puyvelde, L., 1942. The Flemish Drawings in the Collection of His Majesty the King at Windsor Castle, London – P(F) 179

Royal Collection Trust, Great Brittain (RL 6862/631397-1473431513)

Source: Do Smit