December, from the series The Months 1555 - 1618

Adriaen Collaert's engraving, "December," is part of his "The Months" series, which portrays the different months of the year with scenes from daily life. The scene is set in a village landscape with a windmill, buildings, and people performing everyday tasks. The detail of a goat in the sky represents the zodiac sign Capricorn, which is associated with December. This engraving is a fine example of Collaert's work, which reflects the influence of Pieter Bruegel the Elder in its depiction of rural life and its attention to detail.