Artwork

The Peasant Wedding or the Twelve Months: 5-Philipus Mei 6-Johannes Brachmon

The Peasant Wedding or the Twelve Months: 5-Philipus Mei 6-Johannes Brachmon is a print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Peasant Wedding or the Twelve Months: 5-Philipus Mei 6-Johannes Brachmon is a 1546 print by Hans Sebald Beham, a German artist known as one of the 'Little Masters' for his intricate small-scale engravings and woodcuts.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a rural wedding scene, symbolizing May (Philipus Mei) and possibly alluding to the transition to June (Johannes Brachmon), as part of a series representing the twelve months of the year.

Technique & Style

Executed in black and white, the work features detailed figures set against a minimalist background, characteristic of Beham's Renaissance-influenced style, emphasizing interaction and subtle movement among the subjects.

History & Provenance

Created in 1546 during Beham's activity in Nuremberg or Frankfurt, the print is now part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

As a 'Little Master,' Beham's work reflects the 16th-century German interest in detailed, small-format artworks, often exploring everyday life and seasonal themes.