Who painted January and February?

January and February was painted by Aegidius Sadeler II in 1615.

Where can I see January and February?

January and February is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is January and February?

January and February is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of January and February?

Museum-quality prints of January and February are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

January and February

Aegidius Sadeler II , 1615

January and February is an ink print by the Baroque artist Aegidius Sadeler II. It dates from 1615 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in plate: Paul: Bril inuent: / Egidi: Sadeler excud; lower left in plate below image: JANUARIUS.; lower right in plate below image: FEBRUARIUS.; lower right in plate below image: Cum Priuil: S. C. M.tis; across bottom in plate below image: ILLVS ET STRENVO VIRO. DOMINO VINCENTIO MVSCHINGER. DOMINO IN GVMPENDORFF ET ROSENBERG, AD / LACVM CAMENSEM.&c SAC. CAES.a M.tis CAMERAE AVLICAE,ET SER.mi ARCHIDVCIS MAXIMILIANI CONSILIARIO &c. / DOMINO PATRONO SVO.EGIDIVS SADELER EIVSDEM MAI.tis SCVLPTOR IN GRATI ANIMI SIGNVM.DD. / M. D. C. XV.

About this work

Overview

January and February is an engraving on laid paper created by Aegidius Sadeler II in 1615, produced during his activity at the Prague court of Rudolf II. The work exemplifies the imperial court’s patronage of the arts during the late Renaissance and early Baroque.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts scenes associated with the first two months of the year, reflecting the period’s interest in allegorical and seasonal representations. A bustling town square is shown, with an obelisk, church, buildings, horse-drawn carriage, livestock, and a bare tree, conveying a sense of lively yet chaotic everyday life.

Technique & Style

Sadeler employed cross-hatching, characterized by intricate tiny lines, to build up shadows and details, contributing to the work’s textured and dynamic visual quality.

History & Provenance

Created in 1615 for the imperial court of Rudolf II in Prague, the engraving was part of the court’s extensive artistic productions, highlighting its role as a patron of Renaissance and Baroque arts.

Context

The work aligns with the late Renaissance and early Baroque fascination with allegorical and seasonal themes, positioning it within a broader artistic trend of the time.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of January and February are not highlighted, it remains representative of Sadeler’s contributions to the engraving tradition patronized by the Prague court during its cultural zenith.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Aegidius Sadeler II

Aegidius Sadeler or Aegidius Sadeler II (1570–1629) was a Flemish engraver who was principally active at the Prague court of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and his successors.