View of the Sala delle Quattro Stagioni

The Sala delle Quattro Stagioni (or Sala d’Ercole) is one of the grand duke’s official rooms in the west wing. The painting of the walls takes up the theme of landscape, showing traditional prospects seen through the architecture of a loggia. Personifications of the four seasons, above whom Helios hovers in bright light, are enthroned on cloud formations painted in deep tones. The foliage of trees is visible above the openwork balustrades of the coving, their trunks hidden behind the loggia of Ionic columns. Between the columns are views of a serene, well-tended park landscape with small temples, tall yew hedges, and painted statues.