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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

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October from a set of Medallion Months
Possibly after a design by Bernard van Orley (Netherlandish, Brussels ca. 1492–1541/42 Brussels)
ca. 1525–28
The Last Supper, Bernard van Orley Netherlandish, Wool, silk, silver-gilt thread.
The Last Supper
Designed by Bernard van Orley
Probably woven by Pieter de Pannemaker
ca. 1525–28
Armet, Guillem Margot Flemish, Steel, copper alloy, South Netherlandish, Brussels
Armet
Armorer Guillem Margot
ca. 1505
Tapestry Room from Croome Court, Robert Adam British, Scottish, Plaster, pine, mahogany, bronze-gilt, marble, lapis lazuli, steel; wool and silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9-10 per centimeter), British, Worcestershire with French, Paris (Gobelins) tapestry
Tapestry Room from Croome Court
Multiple artists/makers
1763–71
Otto, Count of Nassau and his Wife Adelheid van Vianen, Bernard van Orley Netherlandish, Pen and brown ink, watercolor over black chalk (recto); tracing in black chalk of the figures on the recto (verso)
Otto, Count of Nassau and his Wife Adelheid van Vianen
Bernard van Orley
1530–35

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