Artwork

The Peasant Wedding or the Twelve Months: 11-Martinus Wintermon 12-Nicolaus Cristmon

The Peasant Wedding or the Twelve Months: 11-Martinus Wintermon 12-Nicolaus Cristmon 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.: 1950.479.6
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection

About this work

Overview

Hans Sebald Beham’s small-scale print, dated 1546, portrays a rustic wedding gathering. Executed as an etching, the image is composed of four figures in coarse attire, arranged closely on a barren ground with sparse vegetation. Inscribed at the top are the names Martinus Wintermon and Nicolaus Cristmon, indicating the months of November and December and linking the work to a calendrical series.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a peasant nuptial ceremony, emphasizing communal interaction among the participants. One male figure holds a staff, suggesting a role of authority or festivity, while a woman bearing a basket and a leaning man convey domestic activity. The composition reflects the seasonal rhythms of agrarian life, aligning the celebration with the closing months of the year.

Technique & Style

Beham employs the fine line work characteristic of his etchings, achieving intricate detail within a compact format. The engraving’s crisp contours and careful cross‑hatching render textures of clothing and foliage, while the limited scale underscores the “Little Master” tradition of producing highly finished, miniature prints for a discerning market.

History & Provenance

The print forms part of a larger series illustrating the twelve months, each associated with specific labor or festivities. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains accessible for study. The work’s survival in good condition attests to the durability of Beham’s copper plate techniques and the continued interest of collectors in early German printmaking.

Context

Created in mid‑16th‑century Germany, the piece reflects contemporary interest in documenting everyday life and seasonal cycles. Beham, active in Nuremberg, was among a group of artists known for producing detailed, affordable prints that circulated widely, catering to a burgeoning middle‑class audience eager for visual narratives of rural customs.