Plate 14: Ceres in a niche, facing right, standing over a two-headed snake and holding a half-moon sickle in her right hand and a torch in her left hand, from "Mythological Gods and Goddesses" 1526

This 16th-century engraving by Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio depicts Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, in a niche. She holds a half-moon sickle, symbolizing her role in harvesting, and a torch, representing the bringing of light and knowledge. The two-headed snake at her feet, a symbol of duality, signifies the cyclical nature of growth and harvest. This print, part of a series titled "Mythological Gods and Goddesses," showcases the Renaissance fascination with classical mythology and its visual representation. The print, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a fine example of the technical mastery of engraving during this period.