A detailed 17th-century etching by Jan van de Velde II depicting rural life and agricultural tasks during the month of March.

This etching, titled March (Martius), is part of a series depicting the twelve months of the year. Jan van de Velde II, a Dutch printmaker active in the early 17th century, captures the transition from winter to spring with technical precision. The composition features a rural scene where figures engage in seasonal tasks, such as pruning branches and preparing the fields for cultivation. A horse-drawn cart moves along a path, while a farmer works the soil in the distance. The trees, still bare of leaves, indicate the early stage of the season, and the sky contains a small zodiac symbol for Aries, which governs this time of year.

The work demonstrates the artist's mastery of line and tone. Van de Velde uses varied hatching techniques to create depth and texture, from the rough bark of the trees to the soft clouds above. The perspective draws the eye towards the village church in the background, providing a sense of scale and distance. The inclusion of Latin text at the bottom provides a classical framing for the scene, common in Dutch print series of this period. This print offers a glimpse into the agricultural life of the Netherlands during the 17th century, documenting the rhythm of the seasons through a blend of observation and stylistic convention. The balance between the foreground figures and the expansive rural setting reflects the period's interest in documenting the everyday environment.