July 16th-17th century

Editor: This is "July" by Aegidius Sadeler II. It looks like an engraving, filled with scenes of rural life. It seems to romanticize the labor of the harvest. What social dynamics do you see represented in this work? Curator: It's tempting to see it simply as a picturesque scene. However, consider the power dynamics at play. Land ownership and control of labor were highly concentrated. The lives of these peasants were dictated by the seasons and the demands of landowners. Note the zodiac sign in the corner. It’s as if the artist is charting the peasants’ lives as immutable, and as part of a wider cosmos. Editor: So, it's not just a celebration of rural life but a commentary on social structure? Curator: Precisely. It reflects the era's inherent power imbalances and how those with privilege viewed, and perhaps justified, the lives of the working class. Editor: I never thought of landscapes in terms of class struggle, but now I can't unsee it. Curator: That is how art can be a catalyst for understanding the world around us.