Mars en Venus / Vulcanus in de smidse 1550 - 1570

"Mars en Venus / Vulcanus in de smidse" (Mars and Venus / Vulcan in the forge) is a 16th century print by Marco dell'Angolo del Moro housed in the Rijksmuseum. The print depicts the Roman god Mars embracing Venus, while Cupid watches from the side, on one half of the page and the blacksmith god Vulcan, the god of fire, working at his forge on the other half, with Cupid looking on. The print is notable for its detailed depiction of the human form, showcasing dell'Angolo del Moro's mastery of engraving. The juxtaposition of the two scenes, one depicting love and the other labor, speaks to the enduring themes of human experience.