“Summer” is a work of art by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, dated to 1568. The medium used for this piece is ink on paper, and it is executed in the style of the Northern Renaissance. This genre painting measures 22 x 29 cm and is part of the collection at the Kunsthalle Hamburg in Hamburg, Germany.
The artwork depicts a rural summertime scene rich in detail and activity. The landscape is dotted with figures engaged in various agricultural labors. On the left foreground, a man is lying on the ground, drinking from a large jug, suggesting a moment of rest in the heat of the day. Surrounding him are other figures, some of whom carry bundles of harvested wheat on their backs, while others appear to be resting as well, highlighting the toil and leisure of peasant life during summer.
In the midground, several laborers are bent over, busy gathering and bundling the wheat, showing the communal nature of agricultural work. The background features a panoramic view of a village landscape with houses, a church spire extending into the horizon, and more fields suggesting a bucolic setting with an expanse of agricultural activity. The trees and built structures pepper the rolling hills, adding a sense of depth and scale to the scene.
The drawing is rendered with fine lines and attention to detail, characteristics of Bruegel’s work. The depiction of the peasants in their natural environment reflects a typical genre scene of the period, focusing on daily life and the changing seasons. Bruegel’s interest in the lives of ordinary people is evident in this sensitive portrayal of the rhythms of rural life.
