De maand september after 1635

Frederick Bloemaert created this image of September in Amsterdam, capturing a moment of rest and labor. September, marking the harvest season, is a potent symbol in this image. The laborers are adorned with wide-brimmed hats, reminiscent of the protective headgear worn in ancient agricultural rites. The act of toiling in the fields, itself an ancient and universal motif, echoes through time. We see similar scenes in Egyptian tomb paintings and Roman mosaics, always representing the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. Note the figure drawing water on the left of the image. The workers’ rest carries the weight of human history and the innate connection with the earth, an eternal cycle that resonates with our collective memory, evoking both the bounty and the burdens of the season. The workers' calm acceptance of their labor evokes a psychological depth, reminding us of the profound, subconscious connection we have to the land. This image thus taps into a reservoir of shared human experience, reflecting the timeless rhythm of labor.