Jan Pietersz Saenredam (after Goltzius) Sine Bacchus et Ceres friget Venus c1600

The engraving depicts Venus reclining in a lush, canopied setting flanked by the gods of wine and agriculture, whose presence provides the sustenance necessary for love to thrive. Winged putti hover above and below the central trio, carrying a cornucopia of fruit and offering clusters of grapes. The figures exhibit the muscular, elongated proportions and complex, twisting poses characteristic of the late Mannerist style.

Based on a line from Terence's comedy Eunuchus, this work explores the relationship between physical needs and human passions within the context of Renaissance natural philosophy. It reflects the intellectual interests of the Haarlem Mannerists, who used mythological allegory to illustrate the interconnectedness of the elemental appetites and the spirit.