3-053-488 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Spring and Autumn," by F. J. Williamson, from the late Royal Academy exhibition, 1873. 'This graceful and expressive work of sculpture, by Mr. F. J. Williamson, tells Nature's moral story of the year with admirable truth. Spring reposes on the fertile earth, and plays tenderly with a sportive fawn, adorning its neck with a garland of flowers; or she watches the joyous gambols of children, who clamber into the tree which spreads its blossoming branches overhead. But sober Autumn, turning to admonish her sister-Season of the lapse of time and the duty of work, has reaped the ripe corn of harvest, and bids her young pupils hasten to gather the fruit of the vineyard, while she plies with industrious hand the task of spinning thread for the clothing of winter. A faithful and valiant mastiff, the guardian of household peace and wealth, lies at the feet of this wise mistress; and the pillar on which she leans is a proof of the advanced state of the arts'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.