Ceres 1510 - 1569

This engraving, "Ceres", created between 1510 and 1569 by Jacob Binck, depicts the Roman goddess Ceres, who is associated with agriculture and grain, as a nude figure holding a sickle in her left hand and a torch in her right. The goddess stands within a circular archway and is framed by a serpent at her feet. Ceres's appearance is a powerful symbol of her role in nurturing life. This work is a fine example of a Renaissance engraving, a technique that produced prints from etched or engraved metal plates.