Gevolgen van de omgang met Bacchus en Venus 1566 - 1629

Otto van Veen's "Gevolgen van de omgang met Bacchus en Venus" (Consequences of Intercourse with Bacchus and Venus) depicts a scene of moral allegory. Created between 1566 and 1629, the drawing shows a group of figures, including Bacchus and Venus, representing the perils of unrestrained passion. The composition is a study in contrasts, with the figures of Bacchus and Venus at the center, and a woman draped in a sheet, her head resting on her hand, at the right, symbolizing the consequences of their actions. The drawing, now at the Rijksmuseum, serves as a reminder of the dangers of excessive indulgence and the importance of virtue and moderation. This small-scale drawing, measuring only 120 mm in height and 177 mm in width, exemplifies the artist's skillful use of line and subtle shading to create a compelling narrative within a confined space. The drawing, likely a preparatory study for a larger work, offers a glimpse into the artist's creative process and the moral messages embedded in his art.