Labours of the Months
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The term Labours of the Months refers to cycles seen in Medieval and early Renaissance art depicting in twelve scenes the rural activities that commonly took place in the months of the year.
They are often linked to the signs of the Zodiac, and are seen as humankind's response to God's ordering of the Universe.
There are series of Labours in the following places, often associated with the relevant zodiac signs:
- Chartres cathedral: facade, and also stained glass in the south ambulatory
- Notre Dame, Paris - northern door of the facade
- Parma, charterhouse
- Ferrara cathedral
- San Marco, Venice - main portal
- Verona, San Zeno - facade
They are also frequently found in illuminated manuscripts, especially in the Calendars of late medieval Books of Hours.
[edit] External links
- Podtours site with info and many images
- Illuminated manuscript examples from the Museum of the Book, The Hague
