May (in Latin, Maius) was named for the Greek Goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May. Conversely, the Roman poet Ovid provides a second etymology, in which he says that the month of May is named for the maiores, Latin for “elders,” and that the following month (June) is named for the iuniores, or “young people” (Fasti VI.88).
The zodiac star sign for May is Taurus and the birthstone is the emerald. Reference: Wikipedia
May, The Fifth Month (gogatsu), from the series Of the Twelve Months (Junikagetsu no uchi) Woodblock triptych, signed Seisei Kyosai ga, published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 1887 Vertical oban triptych (each sheet approx. 38.7 x 26.5 cm.)
Sold for GBP 2,250 at Christie’s in 2018
Attributed to Jasper Broers Allegory of the Month of May Signed G. Broers and dated 171_ (ll); inscribed MAI (lc) Oil on canvas 10 3/4 x 15 5/8 inches (27.3 x 39.7 cm)
Sold for $1,250 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2012
PAUL BERTHON (FRENCH, 1872-1909), LITHOGRAPH, #10/50, 24″ X 10″, ‘MAI’:Predominately in green and yellow tones, the image portrays the personification of the month of May as a female nude holding on to a flowering branch of a tree. Signed and numbered in pencil. Matted, under glass and framed.
Sold for $500 at DuMouchelles in 2012
May (one of a series representing the labors of the months) 1690 or slightly earlier Jonas Umbach German
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
May (from a series of “The Months”)
MayusJan van de Velde II (Dutch, 1593–1641) 1616Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Sir Stanley Spencer R.A. 1891-1959 THE MONTH OF MAY pencil, pen and ink and wash, squared for transfer 49 by 38cm.; 19¾ by 15in. Executed in 1926.
Sold for 27,500 GBP at Sothebys in 2011
