Artwork

Nine Months with Signs of the Zodiac: October with the Sign of Scorpio

Nine Months with Signs of the Zodiac: October with the Sign of Scorpio is an oil painting by Jan Kamphuysen. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Jan Kamphuysen, a Dutch artist born in Amsterdam in 1760, painted *Nine Months with Signs of the Zodiac: October with the Sign of Scorpio* in 1796. Executed in oil, the work belongs to a larger series that pairs each calendar month with its astrological symbol. The piece is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition is divided vertically. On the left, a cherubic figure presents a cornucopia of flowers, while a golden basket and a winged creature bearing a scorpion’s tail complete the scene, referencing the zodiac sign Scorpio. The right side shows an owl perched on an ornate vase, a white drapery below, and a reclining nude figure, adding layers of allegorical meaning tied to the month of October.

Technique & Style

Rendered in oil on canvas, the painting displays a classical aesthetic with careful modeling of forms and a restrained palette punctuated by gold accents. Kamphuysen’s handling of light gives the figures a luminous quality, while the detailed rendering of textiles, foliage, and mythic elements reflects his training in theatrical decoration.

History & Provenance

Kamphuysen trained under theatre decorator Pieter Barbiers and worked mainly in Amsterdam, producing interior decorations, landscapes, and historical allegories. The October panel, created toward the end of the 18th century, entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its effort to acquire representative Dutch decorative painting.

Context

The series of zodiacal month paintings reflects an 18th‑century fascination with combining calendar motifs and allegorical symbolism. Such works were often intended for decorative panels in domestic interiors, where the blend of mythological figures and seasonal attributes reinforced both aesthetic and educational purposes.