Caption:
Water. Artist: Probably by Jean-Pierre Defrance (1694-1768). Culture: French, Rouen. Dimensions: Height: 7 ft. 5 in. (226.1 cm). Date: ca. 1750-60.
Lining the rusticated, arched facade of the Henry Kravis wing of the Museum are four larger-than-lifesize Allegories of the Elements, made of limestone (64.93.1-.4). Originally standing in the gardens of the Château de Mussegros near Ecouis in Normandy, the figures can be attributed on stylistic grounds to the sculptor Jean-Pierre Defrance (1694-1768) and are dated around 1750.