Artwork
The Hay Harvest (June)
The Hay Harvest (June) is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Jörg Breu the Elder. It dates from 1521 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Hay Harvest (June) is a 1521 drawing by Jörg Breu the Elder, created with pen and black ink and gray wash on laid paper. It is a representative work of the artist, who was associated with the German Danube school.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a summer agricultural scene, likely part of a series representing the months or seasons. It shows farm workers engaged in haymaking activities amidst a landscape that includes a village and rolling hills.
Technique & Style
Breu employed cross-hatching, using dense, layered lines to achieve a three-dimensional effect and convey texture and shading. Gray wash was applied in certain areas to enhance the drawing's depth and visual interest.
History & Provenance
Jörg Breu the Elder, active in Augsburg from 1502, was influenced by his travels to Italy and work in Austria. After his death in 1537, his workshop was continued by his son, Jörg Breu the Younger.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jörg Breu the Elder (c. 1475–1537), of Augsburg, was a painter of the German Danube school. He was the son of a weaver. He journeyed to Austria and created several multi-panel altarpieces there in 1500–02, such as the…
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