Artwork
September
September is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Velde, Jan van de, II. It dates from 1617 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jan van de Velde the Younger’s 1617 etching titled September captures a tranquil riverside scene at the close of summer. Rendered in monochrome, the image presents a calm waterway lined with trees, modest boats, and figures engaged in fishing or resting. A thatched house and a wooden press used for grape crushing appear on the left, grounding the composition in a rural, seasonal setting.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts everyday life along a riverbank, emphasizing the quiet labor and leisure associated with late summer. The presence of a grape‑press suggests the impending harvest, while the title September signals the work’s place within a series that marks the passage of the year. The composition invites contemplation of the cyclical relationship between nature, work, and seasonal change.
Technique & Style
Van de Velde employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a copper plate to achieve delicate detail. The artist’s hand is evident in the precise rendering of foliage, water ripples, and textile textures, creating a sense of depth and realism. The monochromatic palette relies on tonal variation rather than color, reinforcing the atmospheric calm of the scene.
History & Provenance
Born in 1593 into a family of artists, Jan van de Velde the Younger was active during the Dutch Golden Age, known for landscapes, animal studies, and still lifes. September was produced early in his career and forms part of a broader series on the four seasons. The work later entered several European collections, reflecting the period’s interest in seasonal allegories and Dutch printmaking.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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…
