Spring / Le Printemps (also known as The Swing)
Oil painting on canvas • Pierre Auguste Cot (French, 1837–1883)
Style & Movement
Academic Art / Neoclassicism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas using academism techniques with soft glazing and detailed brushwork in the drapery and foliage.
Creation Period
1873
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 213.4 x 127 cm (84 x 50 in). Portrait format.
Subject Description
A pair of young lovers in classical or mythological attire (often identified as Daphnis and Chloe) sharing a tender moment on a swing suspended in a forest. The work symbolizes young love and burgeoning spring through light-drenched foliage and intimate body language.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
The original work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is in Excellent condition. The image shown appears to be a digital display or reproduction reflecting the original's vibrant colors.
Estimated Market Value
$2,000,000 - $5,000,000 (Estimate for the original masterpiece; reproductions/prints have nominal value).
Auction Estimate
$1,500,000 - $3,000,000 (Based on high-end 19th-century academic masterpieces).
Provenance History
Commissioned by John Wolfe in 1873; later inherited by Catharine Lorillard Wolfe; bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in 1887.
Art Historical Significance
One of the most famous examples of French Academic painting. It achieved massive popularity in the late 19th century and remains a cornerstone of the Metropolitan Museum's collection as an icon of Romanticism.
Notable Features
Features the signature 'P-A-COT' and the date. Known for the diaphanous, translucent quality of the young woman's white drapery and the dappled sunlight effect.
Condition Issues
None visible in the primary museum piece; minor age-appropriate varnish yellowing and craquelure may be present but handled via professional conservation.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment (50% RH, 20°C). Use UV-filtering glass and low-intensity lighting to prevent pigment degradation.