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Ceres
Artist: Abraham Blooteling (Dutch, 1640-1690)
Date: 1676
Dimensions:
image: 6 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (15.9 x 14 cm)
Medium: Mezzotint printed in black ink on laid paper
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: William J. Hitchcock Fund in Memory of Grace J. Hitchcock
Object number: 1989.33
Label Text:It is only fitting that Ceres, the ancient Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility, should be depicted as a young and healthy woman wielding a full basket of sheathed grain. Snakes, often associated with good health in ancient religions, intertwine with the uncut grain at the goddess’s feet.
Abraham Blooteling was one of the early practitioners of the mezzotint printing technique (for printing definitions please see the Understanding Printmaking gallery guides throughout this exhibition). Mezzotint is particularly suited to producing the rich darks and contrasting lights popular in Baroque art. In 1660, Blooteling was in Paris where he met Wallerant Vaillant (see Vaillant’s work in this exhibition), who probably introduced him to mezzotinting. Blooteling often spent time in England and was instrumental in introducing mezzotint there. He was father-in-law to Gerard Valck, whose work also appears in this exhibition.
Abraham Blooteling was one of the early practitioners of the mezzotint printing technique (for printing definitions please see the Understanding Printmaking gallery guides throughout this exhibition). Mezzotint is particularly suited to producing the rich darks and contrasting lights popular in Baroque art. In 1660, Blooteling was in Paris where he met Wallerant Vaillant (see Vaillant’s work in this exhibition), who probably introduced him to mezzotinting. Blooteling often spent time in England and was instrumental in introducing mezzotint there. He was father-in-law to Gerard Valck, whose work also appears in this exhibition.
Not on view
In Collection(s)