Januari 1568

Etienne Delaune created this small engraving called "Januari" in the mid-16th century. It’s a scene of peasants gathering wood in the depths of winter, while the god Mars floats above. The presence of Mars offers a key to understanding the image. In the French Renaissance, the court played elaborate games connecting classical mythology to the seasons. In this worldview, the cosmos influenced the labors of common people. But engravings also helped to shape this very worldview. The rise of printmaking allowed for the wide distribution of visual ideas, which served to naturalize systems of belief and solidify social hierarchies. To get a better understanding of this work, we can consult emblem books, calendars, and illustrated mythologies from the period. When we do, we see the cultural work that images perform. Art isn’t just a reflection of society; it actively shapes it.