Venus riding a conch at left and cowering man (Jason) at right, Eros riding a makeshift boat holding a bow between them 1525 - 1535

This engraving was made by an anonymous artist, and presents the figures of Venus and Jason amidst other mythological imagery. The style suggests that it was made in Italy, most likely during the Renaissance. The imagery derives from classical antiquity, but such scenes were also popular in Renaissance art. Venus, the goddess of love, is seen riding a conch shell, while the hero Jason cowers at the right, seemingly overcome by love. Between them, Eros, the god of desire, rides a makeshift boat, holding a bow, alluding to the power of love to conquer and transport. The use of classical figures speaks to the Renaissance interest in reviving the values and forms of ancient Greece and Rome. The artist’s identity remains a mystery, but we can use inventories of printmaking workshops and collections from the period, combined with textual analysis of the inscriptions in the image, to further understand its social and cultural context. By understanding these details, we gain insight into the role of art as a reflection of its time.