Personificatie van de zomer (aestas)

This print, Personificatie van de zomer, or ‘Aestas’, was made by Jacob Matham around the turn of the 17th century, using engraving. Matham was a virtuoso of the burin, the tool used to gouge lines into a copper plate. He was able to create an astonishing range of effects, from the bright highlights on the figure’s skin, to the deep shadows of the landscape behind him. The image presents the season of summer, with an allegorical figure carrying a sheaf of wheat – a symbol of the harvest. You can see that Matham’s command of the medium allowed him to convey the weight and texture of the wheat stalks. But the real magic of the print lies in Matham’s ability to evoke flesh; he suggests volume and warmth through the density and direction of his engraved lines. By focusing on the skilled labor involved in its production, we can appreciate the artistry of printmaking, and its connection to a wider culture of making.