Ovid Restraining Eros(?), from Johannes van Heemskerck's poem "Publii Ovidii Nasonis Minne-Kunst," probably the first edition of title, frontispiece and eleven plates
After David Vinckboons Netherlandish
Pieter Serwouters Netherlandish
Not on view
Although David Vinckboons made only three etchings himself his designs were the basis for more prints than any other Netherlandish artist in the early seventeen century. Among those were a set of book illustrations for Johannes van Heemskerck's poem "Publii Ovidii Nasonis Minne-Kunst." The prints are by Pieter Serwouters, who also made more than two dozen independent prints after Vinckboons. The multi-volume work was a translation and adaptation of "Ars Amorata" (The Art of Love) by the first century Roman poet Ovid. Some of the illustrations depict scenes from classical mythology while others appear to be generic examples of romantic situations or events.
Various couples in contemporary seventeenth century dress stand in a large room facing what appears to be a bust or an incarnation of Ovid. The poet holds ribbons or reins attached to a small cupid, thus restraining him – a visual representation of the subject of the book.
