September 1635 - 1694

Dirck de Bray created this tiny, evocative woodcut titled 'September' in the latter half of the 17th century in the Netherlands. At this time the Dutch Republic was a major center of trade, culture, and scientific innovation, although it also participated in the exploitation of enslaved peoples. The stark black and white rendering, with its added touch of red lettering, depicts a simple rural scene. It shows architecture and trees with markers in the field beyond. Although modest, it offers a glimpse into the relationship between the calendar, the seasons, and the rhythms of daily life. These calendars would have been owned by a wide range of people, from merchants to farmers. Consider how such images helped shape a shared sense of time and place, while also subtly reinforcing social hierarchies and power structures in the young republic. This woodcut encourages us to reflect on how we mark time and how these markings are infused with cultural meaning.