September 1633 - 1643

Denis Boutemie's "September" is a delicate engraving which presents an allegorical figure associated with the month of September. Its themes of abundance and revelry are connected to the wider social and cultural context of seasonal festivals and agricultural cycles. The image creates meaning through its symbolic visual codes. We see a figure crowned with grapes, embodying the harvest season's bounty. The figure holds a plate aloft, perhaps offering the fruits of the season. Consider the historical associations with Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and festivity, often depicted with grapes and symbols of abundance. This engraving, like others of its time, may be viewed as a commentary on the social structures of its own time, perhaps reflecting the artist’s observation of the world around him. To better understand the full meaning of this artwork, we need to look to historical sources, iconographic studies, and records of popular festivals. This kind of research demonstrates how the meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.