Summer 1620 - 1670

This is Grégoire Huret’s engraving, "Summer," created in the 17th century. At first glance, you'll notice the symmetrical arrangement, and the contrast between the dark lines and lighter areas. Huret uses hatching and cross-hatching to define form, and the subject, a woman, is adorned with symbols of the season, like the wheat and sickle. The texture is also worth noting: the smooth skin contrasts with the rough texture of the wheat. This formal approach, characteristic of the period, creates a structured and idealized representation of summer. But beyond aesthetics, Huret engages with a semiotic language, using symbols to convey meaning. Summer isn't just a season; it's a symbol of abundance and harvest. The woman isn’t merely a portrait, but embodies the season itself. The artwork's structure invites us to contemplate the interplay between nature and representation, challenging us to interpret its layers of meaning.