Jacob de Wit (Amsterdam 1695/96-1754)

Jacob de Wit was the leading decorative painter in the Netherlands in the 18th-Century, specializing in allegorical decorations. He was particularly renowned for his grisailles of putti that imitated stucco reliefs. Groups of putti, which often have an allegorical meaning, also appear in many of the artist's drawings. This sheet seems to be an allegory of spring, or summer, indicated by the flowers and fruit.