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| Rosalba Carriera, Autumn, 1725 |
By MILES KNIGHT
When you think about autumn, you might think about leafs crunching under your feet, the chilly weather, or maybe pumpkin spice lattes. Well, I know one thing you weren't thinking about; grapes. Specifically, grapes being held by a nude nymph who seductively stares into your soul. Interestingly, I can't seem to think of what autumn, grapes, and nymphs have to do with each other, and I'm guessing you might also be confused.
First, grapes might have religious context as a reference to Jesus and the last supper where he gives his disciples wine resembling his blood. Secondly, they might be a reference to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and religious ecstasy. However, I fail to see what either of these things have to do with autumn. Maybe during autumn, there were massive parties where everyone chugged wine while talking about religion. I somehow doubt it.
Autumn, by Rosalba Carriera, is one of a series of four paintings about the four seasons. Each painting depicts a partially nude nymph with an item that corresponds to their season. Spring gently sniffs a small white flower. Summer is, well, just holding a small white flower. Winter is adorned with a luxurious fur coat, and then there's Autumn, just holding some grapes.
First, grapes might have religious context as a reference to Jesus and the last supper where he gives his disciples wine resembling his blood. Secondly, they might be a reference to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and religious ecstasy. However, I fail to see what either of these things have to do with autumn. Maybe during autumn, there were massive parties where everyone chugged wine while talking about religion. I somehow doubt it.
Autumn, by Rosalba Carriera, is one of a series of four paintings about the four seasons. Each painting depicts a partially nude nymph with an item that corresponds to their season. Spring gently sniffs a small white flower. Summer is, well, just holding a small white flower. Winter is adorned with a luxurious fur coat, and then there's Autumn, just holding some grapes.