September - Jan van de Velde II

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Jan van de Velde II, depicting the seasonal harvest activities of September in the Dutch countryside.

This etching, titled September, belongs to a series depicting the months of the year, a common theme in Dutch Golden Age printmaking. Jan van de Velde II, a master of the etching needle, captures the seasonal activities associated with the early autumn harvest. The composition is organised around a waterway, a typical feature of the Dutch countryside, where figures are engaged in the transport and preparation of goods.

To the left, a large, gnarled tree frames the scene, leading the eye toward a rustic farmhouse. The mid-ground features a stone bridge spanning the canal, while the foreground is populated with individuals loading baskets and produce onto a flat-bottomed boat. The artist employs a variety of line weights to differentiate textures, from the rough bark of the trees to the smooth surface of the water and the fabric of the figures' clothing.

Above the scene, the astrological sign for Libra is visible within a circle, indicating the time of year. The Latin inscription at the base provides a poetic commentary on the harvest, linking the physical labour of the peasants to the bounty provided by nature. Van de Velde II demonstrates his technical precision through the use of cross-hatching and stippling, which creates a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective without the need for colour. This work offers a glimpse into the daily life and agricultural rhythms of the seventeenth-century Netherlands, presented with a balance of observational detail and stylistic refinement. The print is a fine example of the period's interest in documenting the mundane aspects of rural existence through the medium of black and white graphic art.