De twaalf maanden van het jaar / Les douze mois de l'année 1856 - 1900

This color print titled, *The Twelve Months of the Year*, was made by Glenisson & Sons. This print is one of many from the era that depicts daily life with vignettes of seasonal activities. Yet, it's important to recognize how these depictions of daily life are hardly universal. Rather, they reflect the experiences of a specific class and gender. The figures in the print are primarily white and appear to be middle or upper class, engaged in leisurely activities such as sledding and hunting. The women are relegated to domestic scenes of gardening and harvesting. This image presents a curated view of society, one that emphasizes an idealized vision of seasonal harmony. The repetitive nature of the grid might elicit reflection on our own routines and relationships to time. Do we find comfort in the predictable cycles of the year, or do we yearn for something more?