August (one of a series representing the labors of the months) 1690

Jonas Umbach's "August" (1690) is part of a series representing the "Labors of the Months." The red chalk drawing depicts a group of figures, likely representing August's harvest, gathered in a shaded grove. The depiction of a rural landscape with working figures is a popular motif in Dutch and Flemish art. Umbach's precise lines and detailed composition offer viewers a glimpse into the life of a rural community during the 17th century. The intimate size of the drawing suggests a focus on personal study and observation, likely created as a preparatory sketch for a larger work.