Elegant Pair of French 18th-Century Coastal Paintings – Allegories of Winter and Spring

Elegant pair of French oil paintings on canvas, dating from the early 18th century, depicting evocative coastal scenes at sunset, animated by allegorical figures and putti. The paintings are housed in impressive carved and gilded wooden frames, richly decorated with raised motifs and floral corner ornaments, which enhance their refined decorative appeal.

The first painting depicts a tranquil gulf opening towards the horizon, where sailing ships and a distant city can be seen. In the foreground, on the shore, a group of figures and putti gathers around a fire. A woman wrapped in drapery sits warming herself, while a young boy carries a bundle of firewood and other figures tend to the flames. On the left, a fortress rises above a rocky promontory. The iconography most probably recalls an allegory of Winter, traditionally associated with fire, warmth and the hardships of the colder season.

The second painting presents a seascape with a large coastal tower and a moored vessel, set against a mountainous landscape beneath a golden sky crossed by clouds. In the foreground, elegantly dressed ladies sit among flowers, while putti carry baskets filled with roses. A flying putto appears above the scene, reinforcing the joyful and flourishing atmosphere of an evident allegory of Spring.

The combination of marine landscapes, allegorical figures and richly carved gilded frames makes this rare pair of 18th-century French paintings particularly suitable for refined interiors and collectors of European decorative painting.

Origin: France
Period: Early 18th century
Dimensions: 74 x 63h cm

SKU: 17543