Envision a scene frozen in time. Five children huddle together seeking warmth. This is L’Hiver, a bas-relief sculpture which translates to The Winter. The Les 4 Saisons L’Hiver sculpture is part of the Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons. The fountain is in Paris on the Rue de Grenelle.
This depiction of winter is by Edme Bouchardon. He was a sculptor from the Versailles of Louis XIV. The sculpture shows four children sheltering under a draped tent. One child stokes a fire. Another warms himself. Even a dog joins them in their huddle against the cold.
The Les 4 Saisons L’Hiver sculpture is a plaster cast. It has a patinated finish to give it an aged look. The sculpture’s depth is 24 cm. It stands 151 cm high and stretches 229 cm wide.
The original bas-relief is part of the Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons. The fountain dates back to 1739-1745. The fountain’s name translates to Fountain of the Four Seasons. The fountain has four bas-reliefs. They represent the seasons. The Les 4 Saisons L’Hiver sculpture is one of them.
The fountain also features four statues. They represent the seasons in a mythological way. A learned drape evokes winter in one of the statues. The fountain has seven statues and four bas-reliefs in total. It extends 29 meters wide and 11.60 meters high. Its central body has two large curved wings framing porches.
The fountain was initially built to supply water to the neighborhood. It was also a monument to honor King Louis XV. The construction cost over 139,000 livres. Edme Bouchardon was entrusted with the work.
The fountain’s design faced criticism. Some thought it was too grand for its practical purpose. Voltaire even mocked its gigantism. Despite the criticism, Michel-Étienne Turgot was happy. He gave Bouchardon an annual pension of 1500 livres.
The Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons was classified as a historical monument in 1862. The classification was confirmed in 1928.
The fountain was originally supplied by the waters of Rungis. Later, the fire pump of Gros-Caillou supplied water in 1787. The flow was too weak. By the end of the 19th century, it was deserted. The City of Paris restored it. It was put back into operation in 1978.
The Les 4 Saisons L’Hiver sculpture and its companion pieces add to the fountain’s uniqueness. It stands as a testament to Parisian art and history. Take a moment to appreciate the Les 4 Saisons L’Hiver sculpture. Imagine the warmth these children seek on a cold winter day.