Portrait of Hadriaan Beverland Drawing a Sculpture of the Callipygian Venus 1686

Isaac Beckett created this print, "Portrait of Hadriaan Beverland Drawing a Sculpture of the Callipygian Venus," sometime between 1652 and 1719. In it, we see the Dutch author Beverland sketching a sculpture of Venus, goddess of love, known for her beautiful buttocks. The scene is set against a backdrop of pyramids and obelisks, referencing classical antiquity. Made in the Netherlands, this image reflects the cultural and intellectual debates of its time. Beverland was known for his controversial writings on sexuality and religion, challenging the social and moral norms. He was later exiled for his views. The print suggests a dialogue between art, knowledge, and social critique. To truly understand its complexities, we must look to historical archives and literary sources, examining the social structures and intellectual debates that shaped its creation. Art like this reminds us that its meaning is always tied to the world in which it was made.