July
Cornelis Dusart
1680–1704
- Medium
- Mezzotint on paper
- Dimensions
- Plate: 21.4 × 15.5 cm (8 7/16 × 6 1/8 in.); Sheet: 21.6 × 15.8 cm (8 9/16 × 6 1/4 in.)
- Genre
- mezzotint
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Tags
engraving (printing process)mezzotintprintingprintprints and drawingpaper (fiber product)
About
Dusart’s July doubles as both a depiction of one of the summer months and as an earthy invitation for a literal roll in the hay. This softly textured mezzotint belies the crackling, scratchy surface of the haystack that these potential lovers would enjoy. The foreground farmer lovingly threatens to toss a bale of hay at his ladylove, who reclines, arms wide open, as if to take him immediately in her embrace. The wine jug to the right suggests that this jovial encounter is heightened by drink.
