Four seasons reunited: Mauritshuis acquires three paintings by Nicolaes Berchem
(Artdaily.org)

The Mauritshuis has acquired three allegorical paintings by Nicolaes Berchem. Together with Allegory of Summer – which has been at the Mauritshuis since 1992 - they form an exceptional ensemble. The four paintings show the seasons and were made around 1670 to decorate an Amsterdam canal house. The series was broken up in the late nineteenth century, but has now been reunited. Emilie Gordenker, Mauritshuis Director: ‘It was a golden opportunity to be able to bring Berchem’s series of the seasons together again. The series was originally made to be displayed above doors and this is how the works will eventually be seen in the museum too. This acquisition would not have been possible without the support of the BankGiro Loterij and the Vereninging Rembrandt.’ In each painting, a medallion with the personification of the season seated on a chariot appears, pulled along in a procession by a pair of animals. Spr