The Seven Planets: Saturn
Etienne Delaune French
Not on view
Engraving, part of a set of seven oval engravings illustrating the seven planets, created by Etienne Delaune in 1575. Each print contains an allegorical representation of one of the seven planets, made up of the god that presides each planet, sitting on clouds and endowed with their traditional attributes, with one or two astrological signs representing the planet being, and the corresponding symbols for each planet, which are also chemical symbols.
In this engraving, Saturn is represented holding his scythe on one hand and a young child on the other, which he is ready to eat. In front of him are the signs of Aquarius and Capricorn, accompanied by their astronomical symbols. These signs represent, respectively, the 'night' and 'day' houses of the planet. Behind Saturn's head, to the left, is the symbol of the planet, also the chemical sign for lead.
