September c. 18th century

Curator: Francesco Bartolozzi's "September" presents us with a pastoral scene, a dance of labor and nature's bounty. It's as if he's bottled a memory, a sun-drenched afternoon in the fields. Editor: This engraving depicts the grape harvest. It feels very classical and idyllic, but also a bit staged. How do you interpret the scene's symbolism? Curator: Think of it as a tapestry woven with allegories. Bartolozzi’s not just showing us a harvest; he’s hinting at the abundance of the season, the pleasures of life, perhaps even a touch of bacchanalian revelry! What catches your eye? Editor: I hadn’t considered the deeper meanings! The figures seem almost frozen in place. Curator: Precisely! It’s a snapshot, an idealized vision. Bartolozzi invites us to pause, to savor the imagined sweetness of the grapes and the camaraderie of the harvesters. A vintage print for the soul, wouldn't you say?