Juni 1635 - 1694

Dirck de Bray created this small woodcut, titled "Juni," sometime between 1645 and 1694. The choice of a woodcut for such a small print speaks volumes. Woodcuts, unlike engravings, can be produced with relatively simple tools and without specialized training, and were often used for ephemeral, widely distributed images. The print shows a winged figure, perhaps representing the spirit of June, set against a landscape. The image is simple, but the effect is lively, achieved with bold cuts into the woodblock to define forms and create texture. The labor involved is direct and immediate. This wasn't high art; it was closer to printed ephemera, material meant to be consumed and then discarded. The image reminds us that even seemingly simple objects carry within them histories of production, skill, and social context. The woodcut process itself, with its emphasis on directness and replicability, reflects a broader shift towards accessible visual culture.