Juli 1574 - 1651

"Juli," a drawing housed in the Rijksmuseum, was created by Abraham Bloemaert using pen and brown ink. The composition, though simple, presents a structured arrangement of figures and pastoral tools against a vast field. Bloemaert employs line and form to evoke the languid heat of summer. Note how the figures are posed. Their rest challenges classical ideals of heroic labor; instead, the scene normalizes everyday existence. The woman's pointed gesture adds a semiotic layer, drawing our attention to a narrative, perhaps an instruction or observation. The drawing's formal structure—the arrangement of resting figures, scattered tools, and piled crops— invites us to consider how Bloemaert uses these elements to structure meaning. Is this merely a depiction of rural life, or does it engage with broader themes of labor, leisure, and human connection to the land? As you consider the drawing, reflect on how its formal qualities prompt various interpretations and continue to resonate today.