Oktober 1549 - 1591

This tiny print, "Oktober," was made anonymously. It is an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed. Here, the artist demonstrates a familiarity with the burin, a specialized tool that allows for the creation of fine, controlled lines. The dense cross-hatching, creating the shadows, would have taken considerable time and skill. This speaks to the increasing professionalization of printmaking at this time, moving away from mere reproduction and toward original artistic expression. The image itself depicts an allegorical figure of October, laden with the fruits of the harvest. The presence of the scorpion zodiac sign hints at the celestial influences believed to govern earthly affairs. This print then is not just a pretty picture; it’s a carefully constructed representation of a specific time and its associated beliefs.