Personificatie van de herfst 1733 - 1755

Editor: This is “Personification of Autumn,” an engraving by A.J. Defehrt, dating from sometime between 1733 and 1755. It presents a woman holding a basket filled with fruit, standing amongst grape vines. There’s something very classical, almost regal, about her. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: It’s a wonderful example of how seasonal allegories can be visual repositories of cultural values. Notice how the grapes aren't merely grapes, but a symbol deeply intertwined with abundance, celebration, and, of course, the transformation into wine – a ritualistic element across cultures. Where do you see evidence of this symbolic loading within the piece itself? Editor: Well, the woman is surrounded by grapes, overflowing in her basket, she is placed within that landscape. And the inscription at the bottom even mentions in French, if I'm not mistaken, the effects of those grapes in producing "lyresse". Is that, like, "lyrical drunkenness"? Curator: Precisely! That association of autumn with a kind of joyful, transformative inebriation is crucial. It's not just about the harvest; it's about the potential for change, for the fermenting of ideas and experiences that occurs as the year winds down. Does that emotional tenor affect how we read this image today, do you think? Editor: Definitely. It almost feels like the artwork is urging us to embrace change. To find beauty and maybe even inspiration in it. I've never thought about engravings conveying emotions beyond the surface level, that's fascinating. Curator: The layers of symbolism truly enrich our understanding and imbue the artwork with layers of significance beyond its beautiful surface. We are now actively co-creators with the artists as their allegories evolve through the corridors of our memory.