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The dying Moore spent the last months of his life in
a heroic effort to complete this wonderful painting. That
he succeeded so well is a tribute to his greatness not only
as an artist, but as a man. The painting, unusually for Moore,
is an allegory. It also gives some indication of the way his
art would have developed had not death intervened. The painting
of the flowers in the foreground is a marvel, and a clump
of dying dandelions is wonderfully observed and painted. The
whole painting has the superbly integrated colour schemes
for which he was renowned. In the background there is a storm.
Moore wrote this poem to accompany the painting -
Lo! Fickle Zephyr chaseth wayward Spring.
It is a merry race; Flowers laugh to birds that sing, Yet
frequent tears shall cloud her comely face.
The South Wind shall with blushing Autumn mate,
Contented with her lot; Summer sigheth-such her fate
She and burning kisses are forgot. Two lovers rough for shudd'ring
Winter strive, Beneath a cloud of snow;
Heaven haply shall contrive Their violence she
may not further know.
The light of the foreground, and the stormy background give
a remarkable impression. Some of the painting is more loosely
handled than usual, and, two of the faces show some
characterisation,
perhaps a sign that Moore was moving away from purely aesthetic
painting. This painting is a masterpiece, and alone is worth
the visit. To see it was, for the writer, one of life's great
experiences.
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