16th Century Engraving By Saenredam After Goltzius: Mars Presiding Over War And Soldiers

After Hendrick Goltzius from the series: Seven Planets
(Hollstein: 50–56; New Hollstein: (after Goltzius) 657–662)
Fine print, watermark.
H: 52
N.H: 659.

"The Seven Planets series is part of the iconographic tradition of planetary gods and children. Alongside ancient pagan stellar beliefs, elements of ancient mythology and divine iconography were transmitted throughout the Middle Ages in astrological manuscripts, calendars, and more generally in literature. From the 6th century BC onward, the planets bore the names of ancient deities. According to astrology, children born under the influence of a planet and a constellation were characterized by specific qualities, activities, or professions. Since the end of the 15th century, particularly in the works of Marten van According to Heemskerck and Maarten de Vos, it was customary in print series to depict the deity in question in a chariot on its celestial orbit, while the children of the planets went about their business on Earth. Goltzius's fundamental iconographic innovation was to place the gods as statues on pedestals, within a landscape surrounded by children of the planets dressed in the fashion of the time
(cf. Ilja M. Veldman, "Antike Götter als Planeten und ihr Einfluss auf die Erdbewohner," in: catalogue Hendrick Goltzius – Mythos, Macht und Menschlichkeit, Petersberg/Dessau 2017, p. 142 ff.).

Copperplate width: 177.00
Copperplate height: 250.00
Sheet width: 208.00
Sheet height: 300.00