Summer, from a set of ornamental designs with allegories of the seasons and grotesques

Engraving, part of a group of four ornamental designs with grotesque motifs, from a series of six designs with allegorical representations of the seasons, created by Marc Duval. The design consists of a sort of stage, in the center of the print, on which stands a putto, holding on his head a hoblet flanked by two long, scrolling branches, and between four vases with vines, which grow to form a canopy around the putto. The canopy is flanked by two masks, holding war trophies made up of cuirasses, helmets, shields, and swords, on their mouths, and by two falcons (?) which are grabbing grapes from the vines with their beaks. The stage is supported by a rod, which is interlaced by a tree branch, both emerging from a basket with a bundle of flowers an leaves, on the lower part of the composition. The basket is, in turn, standing on the union of two cornucopias, each with a rich bundle of flowers, leaves, and fruits, and on which stand two putti, grabbing the fruits held by the cornucopias. Both the inscription and motifs in the print allude to the summer season.