Who painted Three Months?

Three Months was painted by Franz Brun in 1584.

Where can I see Three Months?

Three Months is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Three Months?

Three Months is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Three Months

Franz Brun , 1584

Three Months is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Franz Brun. It dates from 1584 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Three Months is a small copper engraving, measuring roughly four inches across, executed by the German printmaker Franz Brun in 1584. It forms one component of a trio of prints that together illustrate the earliest stages of infant care, each focusing on a distinct daily routine.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a solitary interior where a mother nurses her infant, the scene stripped of decorative elements to emphasize the intimate act of feeding. The stark setting underscores the fundamental nature of early child‑rearing, suggesting a universal, timeless concern for nourishment and the bond between mother and child.

Technique & Style

Brun employs dense cross‑hatching to model forms and convey volume, a hallmark of late‑Renaissance engraving. The fine, intersecting lines generate subtle gradations of tone, allowing delicate details—such as the folds of the woman's garment and the infant’s limp limbs—to emerge despite the work’s diminutive scale.

History & Provenance

Created in the late sixteenth century, the print belongs to a series that likely served both didactic and decorative purposes, reflecting contemporary interest in domestic subjects. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been documented in several European print collections, confirming its circulation among connoisseurs of early German engraving.