Calendar: October (Sowing the Winter Grain) 1416

"Calendar: October (Sowing the Winter Grain)" was painted by the Limbourg brothers in the early 15th century, illuminated with tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on vellum. Commissioned by the Duke of Berry, this artwork is part of a lavishly illustrated book of hours, a personal prayer book marking the canonical hours of the day. Here, the Limbourg brothers offer us a glimpse into the lives of both the nobility and the peasantry. Above, the lunette displays the zodiac sign for October and the sun in its chariot. Below this celestial scene, a large castle dominates the skyline, symbolizing the Duke’s wealth. In the foreground, peasants are sowing winter grain. The contrast between the opulence of the castle and the labor of the field workers speaks volumes about the social hierarchy of the time. The painting blurs the lines between idealized representation and the realities of medieval life, inviting us to reflect on how power and labor intertwine.