Hans Sebald Beham: The year's end (1546)


This engraving, The year's end (1546), was part of a twelve months series by the Nuremberg artist Hans Sebald Beham (1500-1550). Beham was influenced by Dürer and even expelled from his home town on charges of plagiarizing Dürer's work. He died when he was only 50 years old, but left a large number of works behind.
Among Beham's favorite subjects were scenes depicting peasant life, such as this picture. The print shows farmers who are dancing to music played by the Sun and Moon. The accompanying text explains their mood: even though the twelve months are over, they will go on (partying!).
With this thought in mind, we hope all of you will have a good year's end, too, and an even better 2011. Happy New Year!

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