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Jan Saenredam

Spring, from The Four Seasons

1601
Engraving on cream laid paper
21 × 15.8 cm (8.3 × 6.2 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Jan Saenredam’s Four Seasons engravings after his teacher Hendrick Goltzius’s drawings offer lush depictions of flora and fauna through changing times of year. The prints simultaneously follow a young girl and boy’s journey into adulthood. The discovery of the bird’s nest of Spring passes seamlessly into the harvesting of Summer ’s ripe crops. Autumn ’s root vegetables and fruits attract the interest of a full-grown goat and a pig, while the adults and their loyal hound skate the Winter away on a frozen river, oblivious of the sheep beset by a wolf in the background, or any of the season’s dangers.

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More by Jan Saenredam

The Annunciation to the ShepherdsThe Annunciation to the ShepherdsPortrait of Hans von AachenPortrait of Hans von AachenVenus and CupidVenus and CupidYoung Couples Celebrating and DancingYoung Couples Celebrating and DancingCharity, from Three Cardinal VirtuesCharity, from Three Cardinal VirtuesVanitasVanitasPluto and Proserpina, from Three Paired Gods and GoddessesPluto and Proserpina, from Three Paired Gods and GoddessesBacchus, from Three Pagan Gods and GoddessesBacchus, from Three Pagan Gods and Goddesses

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