Zomer 1714 - 1762

Editor: This is "Zomer," or "Summer," a print made sometime between 1714 and 1762, currently held at the Rijksmuseum, by Jakob Wangner. The composition is just fascinating to me – such an abundance of figures and foliage all rendered in incredibly fine lines. What symbols do you see here? Curator: An abundance indeed! Notice how the print frames two central figures, representing Summer, with a variety of symbols above and below. At the top, we have angels seemingly playing around the scythe. It looks to me almost as though this symbol has become the spoils of their victory. Does that make sense to you? Editor: Yes, but why the scythe specifically? Is that in reference to harvesting? Curator: Exactly! It speaks to the harvest season associated with Summer and the fruits of the earth and to time’s cyclical nature. See how it seems both menacing and playful at once? In a similar vein, below we see representations of what appear to be Cancer and Leo, signs which coincide with the titular season of summer. The central female figure holds grapes, signifiers of Bacchus, the god of wine. Consider, also, the figure using the parasol; the darker rendering signifies control over shade, not rain, thus communicating this figure as separate, not subservient. What feelings does it all conjure in you? Editor: I think there is some dissonance, an opposition between labor and leisure, seriousness and joy. Like this is more than just an idealized representation of Summer but contains commentary on how we perceive this season, then and now. Curator: I find it amazing how the imagery gives the print multiple layers of meaning, open to diverse interpretations across the years. Thanks for sharing your reading. Editor: Thank you! I will definitely be thinking about those connections for quite some time!