Venus en Amor op de wolken 1599 - 1603

"Venus en Amor op de wolken" (Venus and Cupid in the Clouds), created between 1599 and 1603, is a black and white etching by Dutch artist Jacob Matham. The artwork depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, standing next to Cupid, the Roman god of love. Both figures are surrounded by clouds and a small group of putti is in the background. This print from the Rijksmuseum exemplifies Matham's masterful use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and realism. The etching is a fine example of the Renaissance style, with its focus on classical mythology and anatomy.