The Child Presented to Priapus 1514 - 1536

Agostino Veneziano created this engraving, "The Child Presented to Priapus," in Italy, sometime in the first half of the 16th century. The image depicts a ritual offering to Priapus, the Greco-Roman god of fertility, protector of livestock, fruit plants, gardens, and male genitalia. The print provides a fascinating glimpse into the complex social attitudes towards fertility and sexuality during the Renaissance. The presentation of a child to Priapus highlights the importance placed on procreation and the family line. The cultural references to classical mythology suggest a self-conscious revival of pre-Christian traditions. Yet, the somewhat grotesque and caricatured depiction of Priapus may also imply a critique of pagan beliefs. To fully understand this work, one must consult a range of historical sources, from treatises on Renaissance art theory to anthropological studies of fertility rituals. Ultimately, this print serves as a reminder that the meaning of art is contingent on the social and institutional contexts in which it's created and consumed.