bearded man sitting on a seat with windblown cape holding a baby upside down by its leg in PL hand, and a sickle in PR hand, two dragons appear to be pulling him; clouds divide that scene from a farming scene below: man at L plows field near a barn and man at R slaughters a boar

Saturn, From the Seven Planets, Plate 1, c. 1532-1562

Virgil Solisexpand_more

Engravingexpand_more

Gift of Elizabeth, Julie, and Catherine Andrus in memory of John and Marion Andrusexpand_more  2015.93.139

Not on Viewexpand_more

People of Early Modern Germany loved astrology, convinced that one’s calling in life was ruled by the planets. Criminals, invalids, and laborers (including artists) all fell under Saturn, then considered the coldest, most distant planet, and the one associated with the onset of winter. Like winter, Saturn was merciless: he ate his sons and killed his father with a scythe. He was also the Roman god of agriculture. Virgil Solis encompassed multiple aspects of Saturn’s power. Raging across the sky in his dragon-drawn chariot, he rules over the winter chores of hard-working laborers, who plow their fields and slaughter their livestock.

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Details
Title
Saturn, From the Seven Planets, Plate 1
Artist Life
1514–1562
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.93.139
Provenance
[Christopher Mendez, London; sold to Andrus]; John E. Andrus III, Wayzata, Minn.; by descent to his daughters, Elizabeth, Katie, and Julie; gave to MIA, 2015. Earlier provenances have been gathered, but further research will increase our knowledge of their histories.
Catalogue Raisonne
Hollstein 403; Bartsch 163 (vol. 9, p. 265); O'Dell-Franke e36 (only state)
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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bearded man sitting on a seat with windblown cape holding a baby upside down by its leg in PL hand, and a sickle in PR hand, two dragons appear to be pulling him; clouds divide that scene from a farming scene below: man at L plows field near a barn and man at R slaughters a boar

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