March (one of a series representing the labors of the months)
1690 or slightly earlier
Medium
Red chalk
Dimensions
3 5/16 x 4 3/4 in. (8.4 x 12.1 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
Accession Number
17.97.35
Tags
Art Historical Context
Jonas Umbach's *March*, created around 1690 or slightly, is a delicate red chalk drawing that captures the rhythms of rural life as part of a series depicting the "labors of the months." This South German artist, known for his intimate genre scenes and landscapes, drew from a long European tradition originating in medieval illuminated manuscripts, where each month symbolized seasonal agricultural tasks. By the late 17th century, cycles had evolved into popular prints and drawings, blending everyday toil with the beauty of the countryside. In this small-scale work (just 3 5/16 x 4 3/4 inches),...
About the Artist
Jonas Umbach · 1624–1693
Comment on works: Landscapes; History; Kitchen interiors; Birds