Venus met brandend hart 1599 - 1600

Jacob Matham’s “Venus met brandend hart” (Venus with a burning heart), a 17th-century etching, depicts the Roman goddess Venus holding a burning heart. The image, housed in the Rijksmuseum, captures Venus in a moment of yearning, with her gaze directed slightly downward. The engraving’s circular format, reminiscent of a medal, underscores the allegorical nature of the piece, referencing the goddess's association with love, passion, and beauty. The inscription surrounding the figure, a Latin phrase that translates to "With Ceres, it burns my power,” further emphasizes the theme of Venus's ardent nature.