Allegory of Winter

In an alcove open to the outside, an old man in a fur-trimmed winter coat sits on an armchair and warms his hands over a brazier full of glowing coals. Bread, ham and wine have been laid out for refreshment. In the background, exuberant youths on sledges and skates enjoy the pleasures of winter.

Seasonal depictions were extremely popular in 18th century reverse glass painting. They occur either as allegorical personifications or as typified seasonal landscapes in which people are engaged in recognisable, seasonally specific agricultural activities. This small reverse glass painting is part of a series of the four seasons exhibited here. This particular painting was based on an etching of the same title by Carel Allard (1648-1709), created in Amsterdam in 1687/1695. The seasonal depictions are contained in a painted stone tondo, the frame of which is just visible in the corners of each frame picture. This motif is often found in Anna Maria Barbara Abesch’s rectangular paintings. The artist painted this seasonal cycle at the age of 21. It is one of her first signed and dated works and attests to a very early virtuoso technical skill with an exceedingly fine brushstroke. Her work marks the beginning of the professionalisation of women artists in the field of reverse glass painting in the 18th century.