June - Jan van de Velde II

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Jan van de Velde II depicting the rural activities of June, including sheep shearing in a Dutch pastoral setting.

This etching, titled June, is part of a series depicting the twelve months of the year. Jan van de Velde II, a master of the Dutch Golden Age, utilised precise line work to capture the seasonal activities of the rural Netherlands. The composition centres on a pastoral scene where figures are engaged in the shearing of sheep, an activity synonymous with the early summer month.

To the left, traditional Dutch farm buildings sit among rounded trees, while a wooden bridge spans a waterway in the distance, leading the eye toward a windmill on the horizon. The sky is filled with light, cloud-filled expanses, typical of the period's interest in atmospheric conditions. Above the scene, the zodiac symbol for Cancer is etched, providing a celestial marker for the time of year.

The artist employs a variety of hatching techniques to differentiate textures, from the soft wool of the sheep to the rough bark of the foreground tree and the smooth surface of the water. The Latin inscription at the base provides a classical framing for the rustic subject matter, a common practice in seventeenth-century printmaking. This work demonstrates the technical skill required to balance human activity with the natural environment, creating a sense of order and seasonal rhythm. The print is a fine example of the Dutch tradition of documenting daily life through graphic media, offering a window into the agricultural practices and aesthetic preferences of the era.