Herfst 1580 - 1584

"Herfst" (Autumn) is an engraving by Johann Sadeler I from 1580-1584, depicting the personified figure of Autumn kneeling in a landscape. Autumn, a nude male with a crown of grapes, holds a basket of grapes, while a barrel full of grapes sits beside him. The scene is set in a landscape with trees, a tent, and a small village in the distance. The engraving is a fine example of Sadeler's mastery of the medium, with its detailed rendering of the figures and landscape. Sadeler’s work is a celebration of the season and its bounty, referencing classical and biblical imagery. This engraving, now in the Rijksmuseum collection, exemplifies Sadeler's successful use of artistic techniques to create a compelling and historically significant artwork.