Août 1896 - 1898

Eugène Grasset created "Août," which translates to "August," sometime during the Art Nouveau period. In this piece, Grasset embodies the month as a fair maiden, a common trope in late 19th century allegorical representations. The woman, likely white, is gracefully adorned with sunflowers. Her gentle gaze evokes a sense of nostalgia, embodying the fleeting nature of summer. The style of dress is neoclassical, reminiscent of ancient goddesses of the harvest, a sort of feminine ideal. This choice may seem traditional, yet it subtly challenges the rigid social norms of the time by centralizing female identity. Consider the sunflowers, not merely as decorative elements, but symbols of vitality. The artist invites us to explore our relationship with nature and the cyclical rhythm of life and femininity. "Août" reflects a dance between tradition and evolving identities, echoing the artistic sentiments of the era.