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August from a set of Medallion Months

Designer Possibly after a design by the workshop of Bernard van Orley Netherlandish
ca. 1525–28
Not on view
Like the Ages of Man tapestries (also on display in this gallery and perhaps designed in the same artist's workshop), the subject of this tapestry explores the cyclical nature of time. Embodying August, a laborer, winnowing grain from a shallow basket, has discarded his outer clothing under a hot, harvest sun. Another threshes corn. Above the landscape vista, Ceres, Goddess of the Harvest, observes the scene.

A Zodiacal belt encloses this medallion, with Virgo triumphant. Pairs of women with hourglasses separate the signs, whilst the background shifts from bright daylight through dusk to dark night, thence back through dawn to day. In the upper corners are SEGESSA (Segesta), goddess of the standing crop, and CUCULINA (Tutulina), protector of stored grain. In the lower corners are further charmingly-observed scenes of country life.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: August from a set of Medallion Months
  • Designer: Possibly after a design by the workshop of Bernard van Orley (Netherlandish, Brussels ca. 1492–1541/42 Brussels)
  • Date: ca. 1525–28
  • Culture: Netherlandish, Brussels
  • Medium: Wool, silk (20 warps per inch, 8 per cm.)
  • Dimensions: 15 ft. 8 in. × 13 ft. 11 in. (477.5 × 424.2 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Tapestries
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Helen C. Juilliard, 1916
  • Object Number: 19.172.1
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
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October from a set of Medallion Months, Bernard van Orley Netherlandish, Wool, silk (20 warps per inch, 8 per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels
October from a set of Medallion Months
Bernard van Orley
ca. 1525–28
The Final Assault on the Boar, or December from a set of the Hunts of Maximilian, Bernard van Orley , probably Netherlandish, Wool, silk (19-21 warps per inch, 8-9 per cm.), French, Paris
The Final Assault on the Boar, or December from a set of the Hunts of Maximilian
Multiple artists/makers
designed ca. 1531, woven 1692–93
Adoration of the Kings, Bernard van Orley or a member of his workshop Netherlandish, Wool, silk, silver, silver-gilt thread (20 warps per inch, 8 per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels
Adoration of the Kings
Multiple artists/makers
1525–1535
The Twelve Ages of a Man: The First Three Ages (Birth-18), or Spring, Bernard van Orley Netherlandish, Wool, silk (16-20 warps per inch, 6-8 per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels
The Twelve Ages of a Man: The First Three Ages (Birth-18), or Spring
Bernard van Orley
ca. 1515
The Crucifixion, Bernard van Orley Netherlandish, Wool, silk, silver thread, silver-gilt thread (20-21 warps per inch, 7-8 per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels
The Crucifixion
Multiple artists/makers
design ca. 1515, woven ca. 1525

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