August from a set of Medallion Months 1520 - 1533

"August" is a monumental tapestry from a series of twelve depicting the months of the year. The artist, Bernard van Orley, was a leading figure in the Northern Renaissance and incorporated elements of Italian art into his style. This particular tapestry celebrates the month of August, depicting scenes of the harvest, with a focus on grain and wheat. The central figure is Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, surrounded by a circle of zodiac signs, indicating the astronomical occurrence of August. The tapestry was created between 1520 and 1533 and is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.