June
1617
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1617
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
June is a 1617 ink by Jan van de Velde, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a quiet countryside scene in summer. A wide river runs through the middle, with people herding sheep along the bank. On the left, a large tree stands near a stone bridge, while on the right, a bridge stretches over the water toward distant buildings. Birds fly overhead, and the sky is light with soft clouds. Notice how the artist used shading to make the scene feel three-dimensional, even though it’s just black and white. The Latin text at the bottom means “June,” matching the warm, active feel of the month. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this one create detailed prints.
