Winter Possibly 1789

Francesco Bartolozzi's etching, titled "Winter," presents a woman adorned in the fashions of the late 18th century. The large hat and fur muff, symbols of warmth, locate the image in the depths of winter. Consider how the motif of seasonal personification extends back to classical antiquity, seen in Roman mosaics and Renaissance paintings. The depiction of winter as a fur-clad figure connects to these ancient traditions. The muff itself—ostensibly a practical item—takes on a life of its own, becoming a signifier of social status and feminine identity. One might even ponder the psychological implications, the way in which this barrier might symbolize a defense against the cold, both physically and emotionally. The image resonates with a history of symbols continuously reshaped through cultural memory, revealing how the past lives within the present.