Antwerp School, circa 1600 - Summer with Zodiac Signs

Antwerp School, circa 1600

Oil on panel, 27.4 x 38 cm

Summer with the Signs of the Zodiac

This painting depicts a lively rural landscape, unfolding in a morning atmosphere dominated by a dark sky punctuated by three bright stars. The composition is organized around a central body of water, which structures the space and connects the various groups of figures scattered throughout the landscape.

In the foreground, a green countryside is populated by numerous domestic animals—sheep, goats, cows, pigs, and dogs—watched over by farmers engaged in various daily activities. Some figures tend to livestock, while others go about their agricultural tasks or walk along the paths.

On the left, half-timbered houses line a path and a small wooden bridge crossing a stream. These rustic buildings, together with a mill visible in the background, anchor the scene in a village setting typical of Northern Europe. On the right, the opposite bank of the lake is the scene of more mundane activity: elegant figures, horsemen, walkers, and musicians seem to be enjoying a moment of leisure in an idealized pastoral setting.

In the background, a steep mountain topped by a castle stands out in the mist, accentuating the depth of the composition and introducing a contrast between the peasant world in the foreground and the more noble and distant architecture. The dense vegetation, punctuated by trees and groves, helps to give rhythm to the space and guide the eye through the different planes.

Long associated with the Brueghel tradition, this work clearly follows in the footsteps of the great Seasons cycles. It illustrates the passage of time through the evolution of human activities and an expressive use of colour.

This painting is part of a broader history: that of the discovery and celebration of ordinary work through Flemish painting. Genre scenes, once limited to illuminations, became major subjects here, treated on large panels. They affirm the dignity of work and everyday life. Originally inspired by calendars and popular engravings, the great cycles of the Seasons were then transposed onto vast pictorial compositions, offering an immersive experience where sky, earth, natural elements and human figures interact within the same scene.

The atmosphere is characterized by its gentleness and serenity. The peasant figures appear calm, almost elegant, and the scene exudes a feeling of summer tranquility. The green palette, the gentle movement of the wind in the trees and grass, and the presence of children and animals invite the viewer to share a moment of relaxation and simple pleasure in the heart of a generous natural environment.

In the sky, the three luminous discs were probably intended to accommodate the signs of the zodiac corresponding to the season represented, in this case probably summer. Other similar compositions show the three signs of the season in question in the sky, often in the form of figurative illustrations such as a bull or a lion, and sometimes in the form of zodiac glyphs.

However, it is possible that the season was not explicitly determined for this painting, in which case the zodiac signs would not be present. It is also possible that these elements disappeared during successive restorations and cleanings of the work.