Time, Apollo and the Seasons

"Time, Apollo and the Seasons" is a significant etching created by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) in 1662. Classified as a print, this piece exists in the seventh and final state (Mannocci) of its composition. Lorrain, renowned primarily for his monumental idealized landscapes, was also a prolific and technically adept printmaker, utilizing the etching process to explore and disseminate his classical compositions. This specific work demonstrates his characteristic mastery of light and atmospheric effects, even within the monochromatic medium of printmaking.

The composition depicts a complex mythological and allegorical scene centered around the god Apollo. Apollo is identifiable by his classical form and the presence of a Bow and Arrow, symbolizing his role as both an archer and the god of the sun. He is shown interacting with the personifications of the Seasons, traditionally represented by Women. The subject relates to the enduring cycle of time, a common theme in Baroque classicism, illustrating the passage of the year under the cosmic guidance of the sun god. While Lorrain is most celebrated for his idealized views of the Roman Campagna, this piece seamlessly combines the classical landscape tradition with deep mythological storytelling.

This exceptional example of a 17th-century European print resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. High-quality prints derived from this work continue to be studied by scholars. Given the historical age of the work, it is often made available within the public domain, allowing for broad study and appreciation of Lorrain's invaluable contribution to both landscape art and the printmaking tradition.