May

Art Historical Context

Hendrik Meijer’s delicate drawing “May,” created in 1772, captures the lively rhythms of an 18th-century town during springtime. Using black chalk, ink, and watercolor on a modest sheet just over five by seven inches, the artist renders men, women, and children going about their daily routines alongside roosters and dogs. The combination of precise line work and soft washes of color brings a gentle vibrancy to the scene, suggesting the freshness of the season without overwhelming detail. The title hints that this sheet may belong to a series illustrating the months, a popular tradition in European art that linked human activities to the changing year. Meijer’s focus on ordinary townspeople rather than grand historical subjects reflects the growing 18th-century interest in genre scenes that celebrated everyday life. Small enough to be held in the hand, the drawing invites close looking and rewards viewers with its affectionate portrayal of community and seasonal renewal. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005 as a gift from Charles and Jessie Price, the work now resides in the Department of Drawings and Prints, where it offers a charming window into both artistic technique and 18th-century social observation.