Mei 1568

Etienne Delaune created this engraving, "Mei," in the 16th century, a period marked by significant social stratification and clearly defined gender roles. Delaune, working as a printmaker during the Northern Renaissance, often depicted classical and mythological scenes which reflected the era’s interest in antiquity and its complex negotiations of power and beauty. Here, three women are featured prominently, embodying the labor and leisure associated with the month of May. The central figure plays a lute, suggesting a refined, artistic pursuit, while her companions gather flowers, indicative of domesticity. In the background, a group of people sit around a table in the garden, eating. This scene invokes the aristocratic lifestyle and evokes questions about who has access to leisure and who performs the labor that enables it. The artwork maintains traditional representations of women, yet it also presents a vision of communal harmony, reflecting the emotional and personal dimensions of life within the constraints of its time. The details are a reminder of how societal roles were both performed and perceived, inviting reflection on the relationship between identity, labor, and social class in the Renaissance.