March (one of a series representing the labors of the months)

Art Historical Context

Jonas Umbach's *March*, created around 1690 or slightly, is a delicate red chalk drawing that captures the rhythms of rural life as part of a series depicting the "labors of the months." This South German artist, known for his intimate genre scenes and landscapes, drew from a long European tradition originating in medieval illuminated manuscripts, where each month symbolized seasonal agricultural tasks. By the late 17th century, cycles had evolved into popular prints and drawings, blending everyday toil with the beauty of the countryside. In this small-scale work (just 3 5/16 x 4 3/4 inches), Umbach portrays men engaged in labor amid trees—likely pruning orchards or preparing for spring growth, evoking March's transitional energy between winter and renewal. The tags "Men," "Trees," and "Working" highlight this focus on human activity in harmony with nature, a theme resonant in Baroque-era art that celebrated the peasant's world. Rendered in red chalk, or sanguine, the medium lends a warm, fleshy glow ideal for subtle modeling and tonal depth, making these drawings prized as collector's items. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1917, it now graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, offering visitors a window into 17th-century agrarian culture and Umbach's masterful economy of line.

About the Artist

Jonas Umbach · 1624–1693

Comment on works: Landscapes; History; Kitchen interiors; Birds