Proserpina 1510 - 1569

Jacob Binck’s “Proserpina” (1510-1569) is an engraving depicting the Roman goddess of the underworld. The nude figure of Proserpina stands in a half-arched frame, her flowing hair and wreath of flowers highlighting her youthful beauty. In her hand she holds a basket overflowing with blossoms, suggesting her role as a goddess associated with fertility and spring. The engraving’s detailed hatching and stippling techniques give the image a sense of depth and texture, demonstrating Binck’s mastery of the printmaking process. The artwork is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.