Fire probaby by DeFrance in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, June 2012

Title: Fire

Artist: Probably by Jean-Pierre Defrance (1694–1768)

Date: ca. 1750–60

Culture: French, Rouen

Medium: Limestone

Dimensions: Height: 7 ft. 3 3/4 in. (223 cm)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Purchase, Charles Ulrick and Josephine Bay Foundation Inc. Gift, 1964

Accession Number: 64.93.


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.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/203013