Allegory of the Seasons and the Ele, attributed to Piat Joseph Sauvage (1744 - 1818)

Allegory of the Seasons and the Elements (A set of four separate canvases)

Piat Joseph Sauvage (1744–1818) was a painter working between the late Baroque and Neoclassical periods. He was highly regarded for his refined grisaille and camaïeu paintings, and for his decorative work in aristocratic and ecclesiastical settings, including commissions at the French royal court in Versailles.

In his depiction of the "Allegory of the Seasons and the Elements", Sauvage employs the blue camaïeu technique — a monochromatic style using shades of blue to model form and suggest depth. The allegorical composition harmoniously unites the four seasons with the four elements (fire, water, air, and earth), creating a balanced and elegant visual narrative. The almost porcelain-like appearance of the work recalls Sauvage’s connection to decorative arts and his role as a painter for the Sèvres porcelain manufactory.