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Old Masters to 19th Century
Jan Breughel the Younger and Hendrik van Balen, "An Allegory of the Four Elements"
Before us we see four goddesses in the forest, who represent the four elements
Westa, in an orange gown, represents fire; Amphitrite, in a blue gown, represents water; Urania, in a red gown, air; and Ceres, in a yellow gown, the earth. Around the goddesses are strewn flowers, fruits, fish, exotic birds and the [shining] armor of knights - all painted in exquisite and exacting detail.
Each goddess is replete with her attributes: Westa, the goddess of fire, contemplates the products of production through fire - an exhibition of armour, axes and swords. In the background are two hunters, underlining the delicate balance of life and death, with an hourglass nearby, indicating the transience of time - passing and never to return.
Amphitrite, the goddess of water, sits beside a stream and leans her elbows on a water jug, overflowing with water. The variety of fish and shells complement other water creatures.
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Ceres, the goddess of the earth, is reclining on a cornucopia or horn of plenty, and is surrounded by fruit, vegetables and animals. Cupid serves her a cluster of grapes and a flower wreath. Cupid is associated with love, fertility and the continuance of life, and the cornucopia represents fertility and abundance.
Uranea represents the air, and hold a model of the stellar constellation in her hand. Air is depicted in an open expanse of sky, in which are birds of various types, some of which stand on the tree branches. Jan Breughel the Younger, grandson of the great Flemish artist, Peter Breughel the Elder, and Hendrick van Balen, are 17th century artists, often worked together, in the best Flemish tradition of that century.
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