Springtime

• Pierre-Auguste Cot (1837–1883)
• 1873
• Oil on canvas
• Gift of Steven and Alexandra Cohen, 2012 (2012.575)

Two young lovers, reminiscent of figures from ancient mythology, embrace tenderly as they ride a swing. Set against a lush, wooded landscape, the scene conveys a sense of timeless enchantment. When it was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1873, the painting was met with great public acclaim and later inspired numerous adaptations and reinterpretations. Academically trained, Pierre-Auguste Cot often painted mythological themes that readily appealed to the popular taste of the period.