Who painted The Twelve Months: July?

The Twelve Months: July was painted by Velde, Jan van de, II in 1613.

Where can I see The Twelve Months: July?

The Twelve Months: July is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Twelve Months: July?

The Twelve Months: July is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Twelve Months: July?

Museum-quality prints of The Twelve Months: July are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Twelve Months: July

Velde, Jan van de, II , 1613

The Twelve Months: July is a print by the Baroque artist Velde, Jan van de, II. It dates from 1613 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1960.143.8
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection

About this work

Overview

Jan van de Velde II’s 1613 print, The Twelve Months: July, forms the July entry in a series of twelve images, each illustrating a calendar month. Executed during the Dutch Golden Age, the work presents a bustling village scene under a cloudy sky, with figures engaged in work and leisure, a prominent tall building, a bridge, and a distant fire whose smoke drifts upward.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures the seasonal rhythm of midsummer labor, juxtaposing industrious activity with moments of rest. The central figures suggest agricultural or craft work typical of July, while the distant fire may symbolize communal gatherings or the heat of the season, reinforcing the theme of communal life tied to the calendar.

Technique & Style

Rendered in the Baroque printmaking tradition, the image employs strong contrasts of light and shadow to model forms and convey depth. Fine line work delineates architectural elements and figures, while the atmospheric sky and smoky plume demonstrate van de Velde’s skill in creating a sense of three‑dimensional space on a two‑dimensional surface.

History & Provenance

Jan van de Velde II, son of the elder Jan van de Velde and father of still‑life painter Jan Jansz van de Velde, produced the series as part of his broader oeuvre that included animal, landscape, and still‑life subjects. The July print remains a documented component of the original twelve‑part set, reflecting the artist’s engagement with calendar motifs popular in early‑17th‑century Dutch print culture.

The Twelve Months: June, Velde, Jan van de, II

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Artist & collection

Artist

Velde, Jan van de, II

Jan van de Velde the younger (1593 – c. 1 November 1641) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker, mostly of animal, landscape and still-life subjects. He was the son of Jan van de Velde the Elder and the father of…