Sylvanus from The Rural Gods 1565

Cornelis Cort created "Sylvanus from The Rural Gods" in the late 16th century using engraving. During this time, there was a renewed interest in classical mythology, which Cort taps into by depicting Sylvanus, the Roman god of the woods. The print translates classical ideals through a Northern European lens, and we can see a focus on the relationship between humanity and the natural world. Consider how Sylvanus's identity as a deity of the forest blends human and animalistic traits; his muscular torso and expressive face contrast with his goat-like lower body. He stands as a guardian of the woodlands, a figure deeply rooted in the landscape. The detailed engraving captures the textures of bark, leaves, and flesh, inviting us to consider our own place within the natural world. What might it feel like to encounter such a being in the depths of the forest? Cort’s Sylvanus is more than just a mythological figure, he is an embodiment of nature's untamed power.