Saturnus, Venus en Amor c. 1751 - 1790

Stefano Mulinari created this print, "Saturnus, Venus en Amor", in the late 18th century. The print depicts Saturn, Venus, and Amor, drawing from classical mythology, a common practice during the Neoclassical period, which sought to revive the aesthetics and themes of ancient Greece and Rome. Here, Mulinari presents an intriguing tableau of power and desire. Saturn, the god of time, stands rigidly while Venus is beside him, her nakedness a bold statement in a patriarchal society where female bodies were often controlled and objectified. Amor is shown holding wheat, mediating between his parents. This print prompts us to think about the complex relationships between power, beauty, and love, and how these dynamics were shaped by the social and cultural norms of the 18th century. The emotional tenor of the piece is one of restrained tension, as the figures seem caught between duty and desire.