Winter

myminifactory

The creation of this figure, one of Houdon's most striking nude figures, may date as far back as 1781, when Houdon proposed creating pendant figures of winter and summer. A small terracotta for Winter in the Musée Fabre, Montpellier, appears to be his first attempt at the subject. Winter (also called La Frileuse) is conceived as a nude woman who has wrapped her shawl tightly over her head and torso, leaving her completely bare from the waist down. Summer wears a simple shift and holds a sheaf of wheat and a watering can in her hands. Marble versions of Winter and its pendant were showcased at the Salon in 1783; both marbles are now part of the Musée Fabre's collection. The bronze version was cast in 1787, with a date inscribed on the base. Houdon conveys a strong sense of winter's harsh weather conditions, but also gives him the opportunity to reveal a girl's naked beauty. The exposure of the nude female body is what makes Winter so captivating in marble, bronze, and other versions - just as alluring from behind as from the front. This sculpture is part of 'Art and Material: The Sculptor's Studio' exhibition at The Musée Fabre, Montpellier. More information about the exhibition can be found here.