Priapus 1688 - 1700

Arnold Houbraken's "Priapus", an etching dating from 1688-1700, depicts the Roman god of fertility in his iconic form. Standing in a landscape, Priapus wears a draped garment and holds a sickle in his left hand while his right hand grasps the folds of his garment. A stalk of wheat crowns his head, a symbol of abundance and fertility. The intricate details and delicate lines of the etching are characteristic of Houbraken's style, showcasing his mastery of this technique. This print, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a captivating example of the artist's ability to capture the essence of a mythological figure with both precision and imagination.