Léon Fréderic, 1894, Winter

SUBTLE CONFUSION

winter-confused, slowly
approaches-snow in his hair-
flowers on his back

It has certainly been an unusual winter. Robins running around on the still-green grass. Bushes blossoming. Buds swelling on twigs. But a forecast of snow on the way! This painting is at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of four bizarre, compelling paintings representing the seasons, by Belgian symbolist Léon Fréderic.