Night Scene Showing Ceres Drinking from a Flask of An Old Woman 

Adam Elsheimer, a German painter known for his nocturnes, created this etching, “Night Scene Showing Ceres Drinking from a Flask of an Old Woman.” The work depicts the Roman goddess Ceres, the embodiment of agriculture, in a dimly lit, shadowy scene. Ceres is seen receiving a drink from an old woman, perhaps a witch or sorceress, who appears to be casting a spell over her. The use of chiaroscuro, with stark contrasts of light and dark, intensifies the mysterious and supernatural atmosphere. Elsheimer’s etchings often reflected the style of Caravaggio, known for its dramatic lighting and realism, which made his work influential in the early 17th century.