Amor zaait kinderen in de aarde 1686

This engraving, *Amor zaait kinderen in de aarde* (Love sows children in the earth), was created in 1686 by the Dutch artist Jan van Vianen. The print depicts a winged cupid scattering babies’ heads in a landscape. The scene is symbolic of the idea that love creates new life. Van Vianen was known for his detailed engravings of allegorical subjects, and this print is a fine example of his work. The image is an illustration from a book of emblems, which were popular in the 17th century. The book aimed to teach moral lessons through images and text. The engraving is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.