Four Seasons (sculpture set)

Each figure stands on a small, square base and is structurally supported by a carved tree stump.

In their current placement the sculptures are elevated to eye level on matching tall, narrow, rectangular stone bases constructed in three pieces and held together via mortise and tenon.

Spring, to which the IMA assigned accession number LH2001.238, is distinguished by the presence of flower blossoms.

The figure is clad in a cloth wrapped around his waist and rolled at the upper edge for support, and on his head he wears an anadem (wreath) of blossoms.

The putto stands in a slight contrapposto, weight on his proper right leg, and his head turned to his left.

The property and all sculptures on it were donated to the IMA by the family of former Oldfields owner Josiah K. Lilly Jr., in 1967.

In 2001 the outdoor sculptures were assessed, and eighteen selected pieces were accessioned into the IMA's Lilly House collection.

It is not known with certainty when this sculpture set was first brought to the Oldfields estate, but it is documented in historic photographs from the Landon era.

[5][6] The Four Seasons Garden was designed in 1939 by Haldeman & Leland to complement the Recreation Building, which was added to the property in 1940 by the Lilly family.

The Seasons putti are believed to date to the Landon era and were incorporated into the new garden design.

For the 2010 Four Seasons Garden renovations the sculptures were removed to Newfield (the house J.K. Lilly Jr., built as a home by for his son) for storage.

[5] The sculptures are monitored, cleaned, and treated regularly by the IMA art conservation staff.