Zomer 1617 - 1634

"Zomer" is a 17th-century etching by Magdalena van de Passe, showcasing the idyllic life of a rural Dutch family. The scene depicts a woman, perhaps a mother, kneeling and reaching out to a cow while a young boy, presumably her son, kneels and fills a bowl with milk. A man, perhaps the father, draws water from a well, highlighting the simple tasks and routines of daily life. The etching captures the tranquility of the countryside with the use of gentle curves and fine lines, emphasizing the close relationship between the family and their livestock. This work exemplifies the artistic style of the Dutch Golden Age, where scenes of everyday life were favored and often intertwined with religious symbolism. "Zomer," now housed in the Rijksmuseum, remains a poignant and visually pleasing testament to a bygone era.