Vrouwen offeren aan Priapus after 1553

Curator: This print, titled "Women Offering to Priapus," comes to us from an anonymous artist, created sometime after 1553. It’s part of the Rijksmuseum collection, and it's a beautifully rendered engraving showcasing Mannerist style and ancient themes. What strikes you first about it? Editor: The intensity, definitely. It’s a cascade of figures and movement. There's this slightly manic energy in how everyone's positioned, throwing things and tilting. And is that someone collapsed on the ground? There’s a sort of chaotic devotion portrayed here. Curator: Exactly. Priapus, the deity of fertility, is the focal point, receiving a flurry of offerings. The figure slumped below could symbolize the excesses sometimes associated with such worship, the point of abandon. Look at the fruits, vessels, and crowns these women brandish. Editor: The symbols... it's less about simple fertility, wouldn't you say, and more about prosperity and celebration? I find the abundance a bit overwhelming, honestly. Does it capture something deeper about those times? Curator: Definitely. The cult of Priapus, though centered on fertility, was woven into the fabric of daily life, linking to broader themes of good fortune, warding off evil, and the continuation of lineage. That’s why it was practiced so wildly. Notice the contrast between the upright, idealized figure of Priapus and the more earthly, frenzied depiction of the worshippers. Editor: Ah, yes, now that you mention it, the stoic deity is contrasted by mortals indulging their excesses. It's a fascinating clash. As you put it, it feels like there is something quite telling here in this celebration frozen in this moment from centuries past. Curator: Absolutely, and that to me, is where this particular print succeeds: encapsulating both the reverential and, let’s say, uninhibited sides of an ancient ritual in such an engaging scene. I never tire of viewing this work, finding something new and meaningful in each viewing.