Saturn 1596

Jan Saenredam created this print, "Saturn," as part of a series of engravings depicting classical deities. The image offers us a window into the social and cultural values of the late 16th century. Saenredam presents Saturn, the god of agriculture and time, as a towering, muscular figure, literally looming over the working class. This composition underscores the hierarchical structures of the time, a period marked by stark divisions between the aristocracy and the peasantry. Consider how the print also engages with the anxieties surrounding power and authority. Saturn, known for devouring his own children to prevent being overthrown, embodies a brutal, self-serving form of leadership. The distant scene with embracing figures suggests that Saturn's reign occurred before love, or perhaps compassion, existed. This print is a potent reflection on the nature of power, labor, and the human condition, inviting us to critically examine the values and structures of our own society.