Lente 1731 - 1788

Johann Esaias Nilson created this print called 'Lente' or 'Spring' using etching. The image presents a garden scene with figures enjoying wine, meant to evoke the pleasures of spring. Nilson was working in Augsburg, Germany, during the 18th century, a time when the decorative arts were flourishing, especially those associated with garden design and leisure. This print, with its intricate details and allegorical figures, reflects the Rococo style popular among the European elite. The image creates meaning through its classical references, with cherubs and idyllic landscapes, alluding to a cultivated vision of nature. To fully understand this print, one might delve into the history of garden design and the cultural significance of leisure in 18th-century Europe, consulting period literature, garden plans, and social histories to uncover the values and ideals that Nilson sought to represent. The Rijksmuseum also holds a wealth of information about artworks like these and is therefore a great institutional resource.