Ovale medaillons met de maanden Maart en April c. 1630 - 1635

Bartholomeus van Lochom created these oval medallions of March and April using etching techniques. The compositions are contained within small ovals, each a microcosm of seasonal activity. Notice how Lochom uses line and form to convey depth and texture, with stark contrasts between the foreground and background to focus your eye on the figures and their activities. In "March," the figure strides across the field, set against a landscape defined by bare trees and linear furrows. The scene is constructed to explore the relationship between man and nature, where the human figure actively engages with the land. In "April," the figures are set back, behind a fence, in a stark contrast to the first image. The artist employs a semiotic language typical of seasonal allegories, using visual cues that invite us to interpret their symbolic values. The medallions are not merely decorative, but actively engage with cultural codes around time, labor, and the human relationship with the natural world. Through its structural contrasts and symbolic density, Lochom's work challenges fixed meanings, prompting ongoing interpretation.