Cartouche met daaromheen vier personificaties van de seizoenen, bovenaan een portret van Saturnus in een medaillon 1788

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print, "Cartouche with four personifications of the seasons around it, with a portrait of Saturnus in a medallion at the top," in 1789. It is an advertisement for a calendar, demonstrating the role of art in 18th-century commerce. The image creates meaning through its mythological and seasonal imagery, reflecting the cultural references and historical associations of the time. Made in Germany during the Enlightenment, the print blends classical symbolism with the practical function of advertising. The figure of Saturn, associated with time, is framed by allegorical figures representing the seasons, a nod to cyclical time and nature's order. This calendar catered to an educated, likely aristocratic audience, interested in genealogy and history. The detailed print suggests a level of sophistication and classical education prevalent among the elite. Understanding this print requires researching 18th-century German social structures, the history of printing, and the role of classical education. It also involves looking at the artist's other works, and the context of calendar production and consumption. In this way, we see how art is rooted in its specific social and institutional context.