Venus en Anchises 1570 - 1659

This anonymous etching, "Venus en Anchises," depicts a scene from Roman mythology, where Venus, the goddess of love, is seen with Anchises, a Trojan hero. Cupid, the god of love, is depicted as a cherub, adding a playful element to the scene. The etching uses chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes strong contrasts between light and dark, to highlight the figures and create a sense of depth. While the artist is unknown, the inscription "I. Ann. Car. fecit" indicates that the etching was made by Jan van de Velde the Younger, a prominent Dutch artist. This small artwork, measuring 235 mm in height and 219 mm in width, is housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, offering a glimpse into the art of the 17th century.