Artwork

The Peasant Wedding or the Twelve Months: 5-Philipus Mei 6-Johannes Brachmon

The Peasant Wedding or the Twelve Months: 5-Philipus Mei 6-Johannes Brachmon is a print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1950.479.3
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection

About this work

Overview

The Peasant Wedding or the Twelve Months: 5-Philipus Mei 6-Johannes Brachmon is a 1546 print by Hans Sebald Beham, a German artist known as one of the 'Little Masters' for his intricate small-scale engravings and woodcuts.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a rural wedding scene, symbolizing May (Philipus Mei) and possibly alluding to the transition to June (Johannes Brachmon), as part of a series representing the twelve months of the year.

Technique & Style

Executed in black and white, the work features detailed figures set against a minimalist background, characteristic of Beham's Renaissance-influenced style, emphasizing interaction and subtle movement among the subjects.

History & Provenance

Created in 1546 during Beham's activity in Nuremberg or Frankfurt, the print is now part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

As a 'Little Master,' Beham's work reflects the 16th-century German interest in detailed, small-format artworks, often exploring everyday life and seasonal themes.