Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus Would Freeze
1588
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Jacob Matham
Jacob Matham (1571–1631) was a Dutch artist, born in Haarlem.
See the richer artist page1588
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus Would Freeze is a 1588 ink by Jacob Matham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows three figures in a rocky, outdoor scene. A woman with flowing hair sits on a rock, holding a bird and grapes. To her left, a man with a crown holds a tray. On the right, a winged figure offers fruit. Trees and vines fill the background, with clouds in the sky. The woman’s relaxed pose and the mix of nature and human figures suggest a story about abundance and care. This is a print, not a painting, so the lines are sharp and detailed. Next, check out engraving to see how artists create depth with just ink and lines.
Jacob Matham (1571–1631) was a Dutch artist, born in Haarlem.
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