Artwork
The Four Seasons: Summer

The Four Seasons: Summer is a print by the Baroque artist Abraham Bosse. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Abraham Bosse’s print *The Four Seasons: Summer* dates from 1635 and is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. Executed as an engraving, the image is organized as a staged tableau viewed from a richly carved balcony that overlooks a bucolic landscape. The composition is framed by the French word “L’ESTE,” the seasonal label that identifies the work as a representation of summer.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts five figures positioned on the balcony: two women in the centre clasp hands, a man and a boy on the left gaze downward, and a second man on the right gestures toward the vista below. The lower landscape shows a small village, a windmill and a dog, suggesting everyday rural life and the abundance associated with the summer season.
Technique & Style
Bosse employed fine line engraving to render intricate architectural details on the balcony and delicate foliage in the background. The chiaroscuro of the figures against the sky creates a subtle depth, while the ornamental carving of the balcony reflects the decorative sensibilities of early‑Baroque printmaking in France.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑17th century, the print was likely part of a series illustrating the four seasons, a common thematic cycle for the period. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains displayed as an example of Bosse’s contribution to French print culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Abraham Bosse (c. 1604 – 14 February 1676) was a French artist, mainly as a printmaker in etching, but also in watercolour.


















