Terugkeer van Vulcanus met Bacchus 1616

"Terugkeer van Vulcanus met Bacchus" (Return of Vulcanus with Bacchus), a 1616 engraving by Dutch artist Jacob Matham, depicts the Roman god Vulcanus (god of fire and metalworking) riding a donkey, returning from the underworld with Bacchus (god of wine and revelry). The scene is set against a backdrop of clouds, with a divine couple looking down from above. This small-scale work (77 mm x 128 mm) is typical of Matham’s illustrative style, blending mythical figures with intricate details and a sense of drama. This piece is now part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.