Augustus before 1566

Etienne Delaune made this engraving, called "Augustus," sometime between 1518 and 1583. During this time, there was a rise in printmaking across Europe that changed how knowledge and ideas were shared. This print, like many from the period, celebrates a specific month, showing people harvesting crops in the fields. Note how labor is divided: men are bent over, cutting and bundling wheat, while a woman carries a load on her head. These divisions reflect the gender roles and the social hierarchies that defined the period. Delaune, who was a goldsmith and a designer, not only captured a scene, but also commented on the economic underpinnings of his society. The engraving, in essence, prompts us to reflect on who does the work, who benefits, and what is valued. In reflecting on this engraving, we might ask ourselves what labor is visible today and whose goes unseen.