This tapestry comes from the celebrated <i>Portières des Dieux</i> series, designed by Claude Audran III (1658-1734) for the French royal tapestry manufactory, the Gobelins. The series depicts the four seasons and four elements and enjoyed such widespread popularity that it was re-woven continuously between 1700 and 1789.
Here the figure of Saturn, the God of agriculture, becomes an allegorical representation of winter: the deity's festival, Saturnalia, was traditionally held in the month of December. Seated in profile, Saturn wields his attribute, the scythe, while beneath him two putti emerge from the clouds blowing flurries of snow. The wintry group are framed by delicate arabesques and garlands of foliage bearing seasonal fruit.