Creative Preview
Created in 1885 by Italian sculptor Sophia Valentia, "Primavera's Decree" was commissioned to commemorate the end of a devastating seven-year drought that had plagued the countryside of Tuscany. Valentia, herself a farmer's daughter who had risen to prominence in the male-dominated art world, chose the rare pink marble from a quarry that had been exposed only after the waters of Lake Fiora receded during the drought. The statue depicts the moment when Primavera, goddess of spring, commands the return of life to the barren land. According to local legend, on the night the sculpture was unveiled in the town square, rain fell for the first time in months—gentle and nourishing rather than destructive, as if responding to the goddess's upraised hand.
Primavera's Decree is an exquisite figurine carved from rare pink-hued marble with delicate porcelain-like quality. Standing approximately 18 inches tall on a round base, this elegant female figure portrays a goddess in a graceful, commanding pose with both arms raised—one pointing upward as if issuing a proclamation while the other extends outward in a welcoming gesture. She wears a flowing pink dress that drapes naturally around her form, with subtle folds revealing masterful craftsmanship. The statue features a remarkable collar of green leaves that adorns her neckline, contrasting beautifully with the rosy marble.