_August_. Design for a Ceiling Painting for the Café Bauer c. 1884

Hans Thoma sketched this design for a ceiling painting for the Café Bauer in delicate pencil and watercolor. Here, you’ll see the month of August represented through a fascinating blend of classical and folkloric symbolism. Note the figure, an inverted personification of August holding a sickle—a direct reference to the harvesting that occurs this month. The sickle itself is a potent symbol; think of Saturn, the god of agriculture, who is frequently depicted with a similar blade. This is a recurring motif linked to cycles of time, death, and renewal. Now, observe the cherubic figures scattered below. These playful children evoke the innocence and abundance associated with the harvest season. The bird and the mice, seemingly minor details, add to the sense of pastoral abundance, underscoring nature’s bounty at this time of year. These depictions serve as a non-linear, cyclical reminder of the rhythms of nature, subtly influencing our subconscious perception of time and plenty.