Standing male angel looking down to left and holding a ram; allegory of Summer; after a bas-relief on the Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons (Paris) 1745 - 1800

Here, we have an anonymous engraving of an allegorical figure, likely made to reproduce a bas-relief from the Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons in Paris. The print presents a study in contrasts between the smooth, idealized form of the angel and the textured, almost rugged depiction of the ram. The composition is neatly framed by an arched niche, enhancing the sculpture's presence. The angel's downward gaze creates a diagonal line that pulls our focus from the top left to the lower right, against the verticality of the architectural setting. The wings introduce a complex play of light and shadow, a pattern echoed in the fleece of the ram, adding depth to the otherwise limited tonal range. This interplay between form and texture destabilizes any fixed reading. It prompts us to consider not only the aesthetic qualities but also the symbolic weight of classical forms in public art. This engraving doesn't merely replicate but reinterprets, inviting ongoing dialogue with the viewer.