HENDRIK GOLTZIUS - SERIES OF THE GODS OF THE SEVEN PLANETS - 1569

Saturn presiding over agriculture

Number 1 of the series. After Goltzius. 1 print: chalcographic engraving (23.5 x 17.5 cm). Third state (of 5), with added date. Dated 1569. The inscription "Cum privil SCM HG Invent Johan Sanredam sculp Aº 1569" appears at the bottom (the 6 and 9 are reversed and inverted). Verses at the foot of the engraving by C. Schonaeus: "Aurea me quondam terris regnante fuerunt tempora, sponte sua quaevis tellure ferente".

Description: The god Saturn appears devouring his son on a pedestal and surrounded by farmers.

References: Illustrated Bartsch vol. IV, p. 389; Hollstein vol. XXIII, p. 41.

Condition: Short margins at the edge of the engraving mark.

Jupiter presiding over the sciences

Number 2 of the series. After Goltzius. 1 print: chalcographic engraving (23.6 x 17.7 cm). First state (of 2) with the number 2 in the lower left corner. Drawn by Goltzius in Leiden. Verses at the foot of the engraving in 2 lines in Latin: "Artibus exorno variis ego Jupiter orbem, omnis et nostro manat sapientia fonte".

Description: The god Jupiter on a pedestal demonstrating his dominance over the sciences represented in the scene.

References: Illustrated Bartsch vol. IV, p. 390; Hollstein vol. XXIII, p. 41.

Condition: Short margins at the edge of the engraving mark.

Observations: It does not seem to be a good impression, likely due to being a first state, in which Saeredam often did not pay as much attention to the printing.

Mars presiding over war

Number 3 of the series. After Goltzius. 1 print: chalcographic engraving (23.4 x 17.5 cm). First state, with the number 3 in the lower left corner. Verses at the foot of the engraving in two lines in Latin: "Cernitur in dubio mea magna potentia bello, per me mors tristis, per me victoria leta".

Description: Mars, the god of war, appears with weapons as attributes, contemplating a battle scene.

References: Illustrated Bartsch, vol. IV, p. 391; Hollstein vol. XXIII, p. 42.

Condition: Short margins at the edge of the engraving mark.

Observations: Not a very good impression due to being a first state.

Apollo presiding over matters of honor

Number 4 of the series. After Goltzius. 1 print: chalcographic engraving (23.6 x 17.5 cm). First state, with the number 4 in the lower left corner. Verses at the foot of the engraving in two lines in Latin: "Sum decus astrorum, convexi gloria caeli, me summi prona venerantur mente monarche".

Description: Apollo, the god of love, standing on a pedestal with a bow and arrow, acting as a judge over matters of honor.

References: Illustrated Bartsch, vol. IV, p. 392; Hollstein vol. XXIII, p. 42.

Condition: Short margins at the edge of the engraving mark.

Observations: Not a very good impression due to being a first state.

Venus presiding over love and pleasure

Number 5 of the series. After Goltzius. 1 print: chalcographic engraving (23.6 x 17.5 cm). First state, with the number 5 in the lower left corner. Verses at the foot of the engraving in two lines in Latin: "Accendo invenum curas ego mater amoris, adivinat et natus vibrans sua tela Cupido".

Description: Venus, the goddess of love, stands on a pedestal next to Cupid, both contemplating the amorous scenes surrounding them.

References: Illustrated Bartsch vol. IV, p. 393; Hollstein vol. XXIII, p. 43.

Condition: Short margins at the edge of the engraving mark.

Observations: Not a very good impression due to being a first state.

Mercury presiding over the arts

Number 6 of the series. After Goltzius. 1 print: chalcographic engraving (23.6 x 17.5 cm). First state, with the number 6 in the lower left corner. Verses at the foot of the engraving in two lines in Latin: "Me Dys commendat facundae gratia lingue, et varias rudibus monstro mortalibus artes".

Description: The god Mercury appears with his attributes on a pedestal and surrounded by representations of the arts.

References: Illustrated Bartsch vol. IV, p. 394; Hollstein vol. XXIII, p. 43.

Condition: Short margins at the edge of the engraving mark.

Observations: Not a very good impression due to being a first state.

Diana presiding over fishing and navigation

Number 7 of the series. After Goltzius. 1 print: chalcographic engraving (23.6 x 17.5 cm). First state, with the number 7 in the lower left corner. Verses at the foot of the engraving in two lines in Latin: "Vasta procellosi mihi parent equora ponti, diverso stabiles renovanti lumine cursus".

Description: Diana, the huntress goddess, presides over the maritime scene with fishermen in the foreground.

References: Illustrated Bartsch vol. IV, p. 395; Hollstein vol. XXIII, p. 44.

Condition: Short margins at the edge of the engraving mark.

Observations: Not a very good impression due to being a first state.