Venus and Cupid

1596

Hendrick Goltzius

Associated Names
Hendrick Goltzius

Artist, Dutch, 1558 - 1617

The image depicts a classical-style engraving with a woman and a cherub. The woman is reclining on a drapery, her head tilted to one side, and a serene expression on her face. The cherub is next to her, with small wings. Both figures are partially covered by flowing fabric. The woman holds two long arrows. Surrounding them are etched items like a rose and artichokes. In the background are swirling clouds, a chariot, and smaller figures in a landscape. The engraving is framed with an ornate border and Latin text at the bottom.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 34.3 x 25.5 cm (13 1/2 x 10 1/16 in.)
    sheet: 35.6 x 25.9 cm (14 x 10 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.55

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein 1996, no. 142, State only

  • Series Title

    Three Goddesses (Plate 2)

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(C.G. Boerner, Inc., New York); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased April 10, 1987; Gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2022

  • The Renaissance in the North: New Prints and Perspectives, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2022.

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. 72 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger: no. 64, only (as Saenredam)

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (Hendrick Goltzius, Marjolein Leesberg, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-, no. 142, only (as by Goltzius)

Inscriptions

in image, at bottom centre: HG; in image, at bottom right: 2; below image: Immenso nostrum spectatur numen in orbe, / Et magnam passim vim mens ignis habet. / Non Dii, non homines ulli mea spicula vitant, / His volucres figo, squamigerumqué genus.

Markings

verso, stamped in black ink: Ruth Cole (Lugt 4739)

Watermarks

present but undeciphered

Wikidata ID

Q76343263

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