Cy Twombly's "Quattro Stagioni" (The Four Seasons) series, created in 1993-1994, represents a profound exploration of the cyclical nature of time and the ephemeral qualities of life through the lens of the changing seasons. This work is split into four parts, each corresponding to a different season: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, showcasing Twombly's characteristic drawing technique combined with rich, abstract colors.
The "Summer" segment of the series, for example, employs layers of warm colors such as ochres, yellows, and browns to evoke the sunny days characteristic of the season. This choice of color and texture mirrors the natural light and warmth of summer, creating a vivid sensory experience that resembles the sun shining through a window. Twombly's work is known for drawing themes from nature, as seen in his other pieces like "Bay of Naples" (1961), which recalls a nostalgic atmosphere from an Italian landscape with turquoise waters, golden sands, and swirling yellow sun rays, all elements that capture memories in a timeless space (Artchive).
The "Autumn" part, on the other hand, continues this exploration of seasonal change, emphasizing the transformational aspect of nature and perhaps, by extension, the human condition as well. Although specific details about the autumn piece were not extensively described in the available sources, like the rest of the series, it likely features Twombly's use of symbolic colors, gestures, and inscriptions to convey the essence of the season. Twombly's work often includes textual elements, geometric figures, and expressive lines that challenge traditional interpretations of art, making his pieces rich subjects for analysis and reflection (www.wikiart.org).
Each canvas in the "Quattro Stagioni" series is not just a visual representation of the seasons but also a philosophical inquiry into the passage of time, transformation, and the recurring cycles of life and nature. Twombly's abstract expressionism, combined with his unique scribbles and color use, invites viewers to experience the seasons in a deeply personal and introspective way, encouraging a dialogue between the artwork and the observer's own experiences and perceptions of time and change.