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Ver
The Four Seasons
Spring
Ver
The Four Seasons
Pieter van der Heyden (Netherlandish, about 1530–after March 1572)
After: Pieter Bruegel, the Elder (Netherlandish, about 1525–1569)
Published by: Hieronymus Cock (Netherlandish, 1510–1570)
After: Pieter Bruegel, the Elder (Netherlandish, about 1525–1569)
Published by: Hieronymus Cock (Netherlandish, 1510–1570)
1570
Medium/Technique
Engraving and etching
Dimensions
Platemark: 22.9 x 28.8 cm (9 x 11 5/16 in.)
Sheet: 25.5 x 31.3 cm (10 1/16 x 12 5/16 in.)
Sheet: 25.5 x 31.3 cm (10 1/16 x 12 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Seth K. Sweetser Fund
Accession Number33.557
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Catalogue Raisonné
Van Bastelaer 200, i ; Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish, vol. III, Bruegel) 200; Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish, vol. IV, Cock) 261; Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish, vol. IX, Van der Heyden) 63, i / ii; Orenstein (New Hollstein, Dutch & Flemish, Bruegel) 29, i / iii
State
I/III
DescriptionOne of two designs by Bruegel (Spring and Summer) for a Four Seasons series issued by Hieronymus Cock in 1570. Fall and Winter were designed by Hans Bol, although no drawings for these prints survive. All four were probably engraved by van der Heyden, although only Spring bears his monogram.
Signed
Signed in plate, lower right: P / AME [monogram]
Marks
Watermark (yes, but not yet identified); MFA stamp with old accession number in graphite: 32983
InscriptionsIn plate, within image: Bruegel.inuet.
In plate, at lower right: H. Cock. excud. 1570
In plate, at lower left: Martius, Aprilis, Maius, sunt tempora ueris. [March, April, and May are the months of Spring]
In plate, in cartouche, at center: VER/Pueritie comper [Spring, similar to childhood]; Vere Venus gaudet florentibus aurea sertis. [In Spring golden Venus rejoices in garlands of blooming flowers]
In plate, at lower right: H. Cock. excud. 1570
In plate, at lower left: Martius, Aprilis, Maius, sunt tempora ueris. [March, April, and May are the months of Spring]
In plate, in cartouche, at center: VER/Pueritie comper [Spring, similar to childhood]; Vere Venus gaudet florentibus aurea sertis. [In Spring golden Venus rejoices in garlands of blooming flowers]
ProvenanceMay 22 - 24, 1933, C. G. Boerner (dealer) sale, Leipzig, one of 4 prints in lot 199; July 20, 1933, purchased from that sale by the MFA. (Accession Date: July 20, 1933)